Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman
Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman | |
---|---|
Nationality | Pakistani |
Occupation(s) | Journalist, business executive |
Known for | Chief Editor of Jang Group of Newspapers Founder of Geo TV |
Parent | Mir Khalil ur Rehman (father) |
Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman is a Pakistani media mogul and philanthropist. As a businessman, he is known as the founder of 24-hour news cycle network, Geo TV, as well as its executive. In addition, he is the owner of the Jang Group of Newspapers, that was started by his father Mir Khalil ur Rehman[1][2] and part owner of the Independent Media Corporation. This media group publishes a number of newspapers and magazines in Urdu and English. IMC also owns the Geo TV network.[3]
Early life
Mir Shakil-ur-Rehman attended St Patrick's High School, Karachi and is listed among the famous personalities of Pakistan that attended this high school.[4]
Career
Shakil founded Geo TV in May 2002.[3] In the late 1990s, during Nawaz Sharif's second term as Prime Minister, Shakil was first asked by Sharif's government to dismiss some of the staff members of the Jang Group. Keeping in line with the tradition of the media group that was founded by Mir Shakil's father, Mir Khalil ur Rehman, Shakil refused to dismiss the staff, a number of tax evasion cases were filed against his news group amounting to 40 million US dollars, followed by freezing of bank accounts and seizure of their assets. The government withdrew their court cases after some facts were made public by Shakil.[5][6]
Shakil established a television channel network by the name of Geo TV in May 2002.[3]
Media industry associations
Mir Shakil ur Rahman has also served as president of All Pakistan Newspapers Society in 2006.[7] He remained a convener of the 'Wage Board Committee' of the society in 2010.[8] He was the president of the Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors in 1995–96 and again in 2003–04 and also the president of Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA) in 2005.[9] Shakil served as a member of Press Council of Pakistan in 2013.[10]
He is the youngest son of late Mir Khalil ur Rehman (1927-1992) who was the founder and editor of the Jang newspaper.[1]
References
- ^ a b Shaista Malik; Zafar Iqbal (2010). Construction of Taliban Image in Pakistan: Discourse Analysis of Editorials of Dawn and The News (PDF). Media, Communication and Cultural Studies Association. London School of Economics. p. 9. Retrieved 24 February 2014.
- ^ Sherry Ricchiardi (30 July 2012). Challenges for Independent News Media in Pakistan (PDF) (Report). Center for International Media Assistance. p. 12. Retrieved 24 February 2014.
- ^ a b c "Geo TV Network". Dawn newspaper. 28 June 2012. Retrieved 6 September 2016.
- ^ Haris Masood Zuberi (6 May 2011). "Through hardships to the stars : St. Patrick's High School turns 150 years old today". The Express Tribune newspaper. Retrieved 6 September 2016.
- ^ "Attacks on the Press 1999: Pakistan". Committee to Protect Journalists. Retrieved 6 September 2016.
- ^ Meyer, Rachel, ed. (2009). "Distinguished Visitors" (PDF). Newsletter. Austin: South Asian Institute, The University of Texas: 13. Retrieved 24 February 2014.
- ^ "APNS elects office-bearers". Dawn newspaper. 2 April 2006. Retrieved 6 September 2016.
- ^ "APNS Committee for 2010–2011". All Pakistan Newspapers Society. 27 April 2010. Retrieved 6 September 2016.
- ^ "PBA elects office-bearers". Dawn newspaper. 23 December 2005. Retrieved 6 September 2016.
- ^ Press Council of Pakistan (2013). Annual Report 2013 (PDF) (Report). Press Council of Pakistan. p. 10. Retrieved 24 February 2014.