PEMRA suspended ARY news license. The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority suspended the license of the ARY News for broadcasting PTI chief Imran Khan’s statement in the headline slot of 9:00 pm.
The PEMRA took action beside ARY News directly later imposing a ban on Imran Khan’s speeches and media reports following a notice issued at 8:30 pm. The channel faced PEMRA’s anger despite applying the order as it did not air Imran Khan’s statement in the 9:00 pm headlines.
Other television channels also aired Imran Khan’s speech. But unfair actions taken by the ARY News by the electronic media authority.
The suspension order read, “It 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 to content in willful defiance to the Prohibition Order.”
It added, “Foregoing in view, the competent authority i.e. the Chairman PEMRA in the exercise of powers vested in Section 30(3) of the PEMRA Ordinance 2002 as amended by PEMRA (Amendment) Act 2007. Hereby Suspends airing satellite TV Channel license conferred to M/s ARY Communications Ltd. (ARY News) with immediate effect, till further orders.”
Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) Secretary Finance Saeed Jahan aka Lala Asad intensely condemned the electronic media authority’s move.
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He wrote on Twitter, “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 beside #freedomofspeech.”
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
Previously, the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) imposed a ban on airing ‘live and recorded’ speeches and press conferences of previous PM and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan on all satellite TV channels with immediate effect.