The leaked document appears to be requesting 3 Million dollars from the US Department of State to be used by Geo TV to primarily influence the Judiciary of Pakistan.
Source/Credit: AT/TOA
By Imran Jattala | August 26, 2013
A document requesting millions of dollars from the US government and proposing to use the funds 'for helping people of Pakistan understand their constitution, demand their rights, and influence certain Pakistani institutions for the purpose of their reforms,' has come to a light recently.
The leaked document appears to be requesting 3 Million dollars from the US Department of State to be used by Geo TV to primarily exert their punditry influence over the Judiciary of Pakistan.
Initiated by Mir Khalil ur Rahman Foundation (MKRF), an NGO with reportedly controlling influence over Jang/Geo Group, the document shows that MKRF made the funding request from the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL) of the United States Department of State.
The foundation caries the name of the media group’s founder Mir Khalil ur Rahman.
The request entitled “Access to Justice: Media Campaign” is made on June 30, 2013, and the anticipated funds appears to be fully earmarked as a source of revenue for the Jang/Geo Group.
The documents outline how the pressures will be created on lawmakers and judiciary by purchasing media spots, through editorial impact and influence through popular anchors already working at Geo.
The document submitted by MKRF claims to have successfully run different campaigns in Pakistan in the past.
Geo cited their campaigning success with reference to Hudood Ordinance by creating awareness on their program Zara Sochiay (“Just Think”) and through Aman Ki Asha, a joint venture between Jang Group and Times of India.
It is of note that the both of the platforms cited for campaign successes in MKRF’s funding request had received less then spectacular reviews in a report issued by the Media Commission appointed by the Supreme Court of Pakistan, the institution MKRF now seeks to reform.
The Commission had found that in many instances in the Pakistani media non-transparent foreign sources influenced the contests carried by various outlets.
The report specifically highlighted Geo TV’s Zara Socheey program and Jang Group’s Aman Ki Aasha project.
“It was revealed that lot of funds were pouring into the media outlet from abroad in the form of sponsorship. For instance, ‘Zara Socheey’ programme had received sponsorship to the extent of Pounds 20 million,” the Commission wrote.
“Another instance reported,” the Commission wrote, “was that of ‘Aman Ki Aysha’ programme which was being funded by Norwegian NGO named ‘Friends without Borders’.”
“Going into the background of the funding to this programme, it was found that the foot-prints lead to Indian sponsors including the Indian State Television, the Doordarshan.”
-- Pakistan: $3 Million US aid sought for Jang/Geo TV to ‘reform judiciary’, pressure lawmakers
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