The Government of Pakistan has banned the country’s television channels from broadcasting the speeches and statements of former Prime Minister Imran Jan, who is the subject of an arrest warrant.
The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) on Sunday imposed an immediate ban on Jan on all Pakistani television channels in view of his »provocative statements against state institutions and officials, which is detrimental to the maintenance of law and order, and is likely to disturb public peace and tranquility».
Furthermore, the order states that »in case of non-compliance, the license will be suspended (…) without any public interest justification notice».
This decision was announced hours after the former Prime Minister made a speech in front of his residence just as the police arrived to arrest him. However, he evaded arrest in the face of police confusion as his home was surrounded by supporters.
<b>ARY NEWS SUSPENSION</b>
Hours later, the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority issued an order suspending Ary News for »deliberate defiance» of the banning order.
»In view of the above, the competent authority, i.e. the chairman, Pemra, in exercise of the powers conferred (…) hereby suspends the satellite television channel license conferred on ARY News with immediate effect, pending further orders,» it has stated.
However, the channel has clashed with the agency, as it has indicated that it did not broadcast Jan’s statement during the 21.00 local time news.
Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) Finance Secretary Saeed Jahan, alias ‘Lala Asad’, has strongly condemned the move by the electronic media authority, Ary News channel has reported.
»The courts have repeatedly denounced the fascist acts of PEMRA, but unfortunately the vendetta against freedom of expression continues,» he said.
This is the third occasion on which the media agency has banned Jan’s telecast, as the first was quashed by the Islamabad High Court in September 2022 and the third was withdrawn hours after it was imposed, reports the daily ‘Dawn’.
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)
