ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) on Sunday came into action swiftly and suspended the licence of the ARY News for broadcasting Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan’s statement in the headline slot of 9:00 pm.
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This came within minutes after PEMRA imposed a ban on broadcasting ‘live and recorded’ speeches and press conferences of former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan on all satellite TV channels with immediate effect.
The notice to this effect was issued at 8:30pm last night, however, TV channel ARY claimed it faced PEMRA’s wrath despite implementing the order as it did not air Imran Khan’s statement in the 9:00 pm headlines.
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The suspension order read, “It has been observed that M/s ARY Communications Ltd. (ARY News) on March 05, 2023, in its news bulletin at 9:00 p.m. aired clips of Mr. Imran Khan’s speech delivered at Zaman Park, Lahore, today. ARY News aired referred content in willful defiance to the Prohibition Order.”
Reacting sharply to PEMRA’s order, Secretary Finance of PFUJ Saeed Jahan aka Lala Asad condemned the action and called it ‘draconian act’ by PDM government.
Yet another draconian act by the PDM government. Pakistan’s largest News Channel #ARYNEWS license suspended by PEMRA for airing @ImranKhanPTI speech. Courts have repeatedly denounced fascist acts of PEMRA but unfortunately vendetta continues against #freedomofspeech pic.twitter.com/GQKdDAb4jG
— Saeed Jahan Alias Lala Asad (@LalaAsadPathan) March 5, 2023
The Association of Electronic Media Editors and News Directors (AEMEND) also raised its voice, rejecting PEMRA’s ban on the PTI chairman Imran Khan calling it a violation of basic fundamental rights.
In a statement issued on Sunday, AEMEND stated that the constitution of Pakistan allows everyone to speak and write according to the legal frame, in case of violation, the state and institutions have the right to act in accordance with the law.
The association urged the PERMRA to immediately revoke the ban on broadcasting PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s speeches.
