ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has strongly condemned suspension of ARY News transmission. Reacting to Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority’s action of suspending ARY News’s licence, PFUJ President Afzal Butt said PEMRA is ‘violating’ laws.

There is no such provision in law to punish any channel without issuing notice, he added. He warned PEMRA to correct its mistake or else the PFUJ will initiate countrywide protest.

On Sunday, Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority suspended licence of ARY News for broadcasting Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chief Imran Khan’s statement in headline slot of 9:00pm.

Other television channels also aired Imran Khan’s statement but discriminatory action was taken against ARY News by electronic media authority.

Suspension order read, “It has been observed that ARY Communications Ltd. on March 5, 2023 in its news bulletin at 9:00pm aired clips of Imran Khan’s speech delivered at Zaman Park, Lahore, today. ARY News aired referred content in willful defiance to Prohibition Order.”

Published in The Daily National Courier, March, 07 2023

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