ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s media is free once again after senior journalist Hamid Mir returned to Geo News on Tuesday, immediately announcing a ‘General Rani Special’ on the flagship Capital Talk show tonight (Wednesday).
Returning nine months after he was forced off the air for delivering a speech condemning the attack on journalist Asad Toor, Mir took no time to confirm that freedom of expression has indeed been restored in the country by announcing that he will continue his speech from where he left off in 2021.
“The speech, which was unfinished last year, will be completed on Capital TV tomorrow night,” Mir announced while signing off from his show on Tuesday.
“Like I said last year, I will tell everything about General Rani, what she did and who was involved in which capacity with her. It is something many people already know, but it will be aired on national TV for the very first time,” Mir confirmed.
Pakistan’s ranking on the Press Freedom Index began climbing seconds after Mir made the announcement on his show.
Reporters Without Borders also lauded the development saying that Pakistan was now “truly free” when it comes to media.
“Reporters Without Borders (RSF) lauds both Mr Hamid Mir and the Pakistani state for ensuring space for journalists to air views that the powers that be do not approve of, which is what journalism is all about,” read the statement on the RSF website.
“We are especially excited about the General Rani special and want to find out what the fuss was all about,” Reporters Without Borders added.
