Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is Zara Sochieye?

Zara Sochieye (THINK) is a formal drive initiated by GEO Television Network that attempts to highlight issues that promote and/or represent imbalance and injustice in our society and have divided us for years. As the name suggests Zara Sochieye will include all such issues that have become so integrated into our society that we have stopped thinking about them. GEO, therefore, aims to explore new dimensions of an existing problem and create a platform for creative thinking and discourse between diverse people and ideas.

2. Why is GEO initiating a debate on this (Hudood Ordinance) particularly religious sensitive issue, when there are so many other areas of concern in society to take on?

This is neither the first time nor the first issue that GEO is bringing to the forefront. This particular initiative should be seen as a part of our brand’s continued effort to shed light on ‘’controversial’’ issues which in actuality, might be less controversial than people think. They might be considered controversial because they haven’t been explored enough due to intolerance, lack of information, parochial mindset and political circumstances.

GEO respects all religions, especially Islam which, promotes tolerance peace and understanding. GEO believes that tolerance, peace and understanding will also come through debate and discourse and access to information, lack of which, is the primary road block to such high ideals.  
 
3. Is GEO taking a position on this issue?

GEO doesn’t take sides on political issues. This is, in fact, not an issue that should be political and we are breaking the political barrier around it so that it can be discussed and debated. Having said that, GEO will always be on the side of Geo Aur Geenay Do (“Live and Let Live”). GEO’s moto promotes tolerance, freedom and equality and in making these words our slogan, we have taken on the responsibility to play our part in creating a society that promotes these values. These values will, in turn, promote independent thought in our society without fear of reprisals which, will be beneficial for all its stakeholders.

On an issue like the Hudood Ordinance, GEO wants to empower its viewers with information on all aspects of the issue so that they can independently decide what position they want to take on the matter. We think this is a difficult task, and therefore, we are invoking people to think with our slogan, “Zara Sochieye.”

4. Who has GEO worked with in order to produce this initiative?

GEO has developed this entire initiative in house without any pressure or influence from any other agency. No support has been taken from the Government of Pakistan, non- governmental organizations, any political party or any other local or foreign agency or government. The initiative has been researched, designed, developed and implemented thoroughly by GEO’s own research and production team. The members of this team are full time employees of the channel without any association to any social or political organization, but rather, with a conscience of Geo Aur Geenay Do (‘Live and Let Live’).

5. Does GEO want the Hudood Ordinance amended/repealed?

Geo does not aim to repeal the Hudood Ordinance or amend it. That is a decision that the people of Pakistan have to take through their representatives in the National Assembly. We do, however, want to shed light on the Hudood Ordinance, its issues and what experts on the topic think. We believe that there is more consensus about what should be done about the Ordinance than not. We would like to be a platform for the debate which can lead to such a consensus.

Like always GEO will attempt to live up to its credibility by involving all stakeholders, experts and most of all, public opinion and feedback throughout the debate process. Feedback is welcome and encouraged at zs@geo.tv.

6. Why are women and NGO representatives mysteriously missing from your experts and panels of the Debates and Promos?

For 27 years, the Hudood Ordinance issue has been polarized, as well as politicized. Another way to approach the issue besides from a human rights or women rights perspective is Islam's rights. Islam has a right to be represented properly, and not be tied with unjust or confusing laws. This point can be better and more clearly communicated by scholars. Ideally every stakeholder should have a role in this debate but we realized that including women could have polarized opinion and may have distracted from the main issue at hand. People could easily be distracted into concentrating on arguing over 'who' is commenting rather than 'what' is being said.