Stop intimidating media, US warns Pak

The United States has said it would be "a mistake" by the civilian government of Pakistan to follow the footsteps of the previous Musharraf regime in trying to restrict the press freedom in the country.

"We certainly think it would be a mistake for the Pakistani civilian government to follow the press intimidation that was present during its predecessor," State Department spokesman P J Crowley said when asked about the recent developments in Pakistan in this regard.

According to a CNN news report, two TV stations -- Geo TV and ARY stations --

were shut down in parts of Sindh province, including Karachi after the news channels' reports angered supporters of the Pakistani President.

Azher Abbas, Geo's managing director, said its signals were blocked at midnight Saturday after the station broadcast news reports that a pair of shoes had allegedly been hurled at President Asif Ali Zardari during his visit to Birmingham, England, the CNN said.