ARY channels shut in UK, allegations against Editor-in-Chief Jang and Geo group proven false

ARY Network has run a vile campaign against Editor-in-Chief Jang and Geo group Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman, falsely accusing him of being a traitor of Pakistan, Indian agent, RAW agent, American agent, CIA agent, MOSSAD agent, and committing blasphemy.

The network also failed to prove accusations of spreading anarchy in Pakistan, taking money to work on foreign agenda, and ridiculing Islamic teachings.

ARY had falsely accused Editor-in-Chief Jang and Geo group Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman of being a traitor and enemy of the state who deceived the nation and conspired with other countries against Pakistan. ARY failed to prove these allegations in court and admitted that it has no evidence to back its vile claims.

Ofcom and the British court's verdict have vindicated Jang and Geo group and its Editor-in-Chief Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman, successfully defeating a dishonest media campaign of vile and baseless accusations.

The London High Court's verdict in the defamation case was a historic win for Jang and Geo group and its Editor-in-chief. ARY admitted that it could not prove its accusations with evidence, clearing Jang and Geo group and its Editor-in-chief of all allegations.

The court ordered ARY to pay £3 million in damages and costs.

However, ARY failed to comply with the court's orders after which British media regulator Ofcom revoked all six ARY Network licences and shut down three TV channels owned by the network in the UK.

During the trial, lawyers for ARY had stated in court that the channel had aired accusations against Jang and Geo of working for foreign governments and agencies in response to an alleged attack by Geo. Lawyers for ARY claimed the content of its transmission was merely 'opinion' and that it was not meant to be fact. However, the court rejected ARY's stance.

Gilgit-Baltistan Supereme Appelate Court, the Balochistan High Court, and Sessions court Quetta had also cleared Jang and Geo Group's Editor-in-chief of false blasphemy allegations. However, ARY Network never aired this news.

One of the biggest allegations levelled by ARY was that Editor-in-Chief Jang and Geo group challenged Pakistan's security, ideology, and its institutions including the judiciary and military. In its verdict, the British court said ARY had no evidence to prove its accusations.

The court rejected the small file of unverified social media reports that ARY submitted as 'evidence'.

On the other hand, Jang and Geo Group Editor-in-Chief submitted 30 kilogrammes of documents as detailed responses and evidence in the case, even responding to questions that were not even raised in the small file submitted by ARY.

According to the British court's verdict, ARY will pay Editor-in-Chief Jang and Geo group Rs 260 million (over £2 million). This amount includes libel damages, legal fees, insurance premium, and other costs.

The order costs ARY 3 million British pounds (PKR400 million), including its legal costs.

ARY Chief Operating Officer Fayyaz Ghafoor even declined to appear in court to avoid answering questions by Jang and Geo group's legal team.

ARY had also falsely accused that the Aman Ki Asha campaign was run by Jang and Geo group in exchange for money as part of furthering 'Indian agenda'. However, ARY said it had no evidence to prove this accusation, and it even declined to defend this allegation in court.

According to the Judge, ARY spewed venom and levelled false blasphemy accusations 389 times to hurt the Defendant. The judge had found that ARY's broadcasts were "unrelenting and calculated to arouse hatred towards the Claimant (and indeed quite possibly violence) among members of the Pakistani community in this jurisdiction."

The Judge found that ARY distorted the coverage of events following the attack on Geo News anchor Hamid Mir to accomplish its own agenda.

A series of attacks were carried out on Jang and Geo group following the dishonest media campaign by ARY and others. Several employees of Jang and Geo group were attacked while performing their duties. Banned extremist outfits also threatened and attacked Jang and Geo employees.

A dishonest propaganda campaign was started on broadcast, print and social media against the leadership and employees of Jang and Geo group.

They were physically attacked in UK and Pakistan, employees were tortured and their families were given life threats.

Cable operators were told to stop airing Geo or switch it to the last numbers. Advertisers were told to stop advertising on Jang and Geo group.

Cases related to all these matters are being heard in different courts of Pakistan for the last three years.

The same old campaign is being re-run today with the same old script and again using the names of the Almighty and the Holy Prophet (Peace be Upon Him).