By Staff Reporter
KARACHI: The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) said on Friday it revoked the private ARY News operating licence to broadcast across the country after the interior ministry has withdrawn the channels security clearance on airing remarks against the powerful military.
The interior ministry in a latter said the “NOC (non-objection certificate) issued in favour of M/S ARY Communications Pvt Limited (ARY News) is cancelled with immediate effect and until further orders on the basis of adverse reports from agencies”.
ARY said the channel would challenge the decision in court.
The TV channel was pulled off air after it aired an interview of a close aide of former prime minister Imran Khan, considered seditious and threatening to national security.
Shehbaz Gill, chief of staff of PTI Khan urged troops and officers, all the way up to brigadiers, to refuse to obey “illegal orders” from the military leadership. The police later arrested Gill for sedition and inciting the public against state institutions. An employee of ARY News was also arrested.
The Pemra communiqué says the “ministry of Interior vide letter dated 10.11.2021 had initially granted NOC/ security clearance for renewal of satellite TV licences of M/s ARY Communication Ltd. However, the Ministry has withdrawn the NOC in respect of M/s ARY Communication Ltd. (ARY News) vide letter dated 11.8.2022”.
“Foregoing in view and based on the fact that the mandatory requirement of security clearance has not been fulfilled since NOC has been withdrawn by Ministry of Interior, the request of M/s ARY Communication Ltd. for renewal of licence for another term of 15 years may be regretted by the authority.”
Media houses and political parties disapproved the government’s action against ARY News.
The ARY management the move is akin to the “economic murder of more than 4,000 media workers associated with the news channel”.
The interior ministry’s notification will be taken to the courts as it was done without any due notice”.
Association of Electronic Media Editors and News Directors (AEMEND) condemned the action and termed it an ‘excessive measure’.
Farhatullah Babar, a senior leader of the Pakistan Peoples Party said the use of state power arbitrarily will backfire. “There may be 101 good reasons but the question as to who is competent to cancel, how & whether due process followed must be answered,” Babar Tweeted.“Effects of [the] law of diminishing returns already becoming apparent.”
PTIs Asad Umar, said the tide of history cannot be stopped by coercive illegal measures.
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