ARY News License Suspended

The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has suspended the transmission and license of ARY News for broadcasting Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman and Former Prime Minister, Imran Khan’s statement during the news headlines.

PEMRA took action against ARY News for airing Imran Khan’s speech at 9:00pm, which was just 30 minutes after it had issued a circular at 8:26pm banning the former Prime Minister’s speeches and media statements on television.

“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.” said the notification. “ARY News aired referred content in willful defiance to the Prohibition Order.” it added.

“Foregoing in view, the competent authority i.e. the Chairman PEMRA in exercise of powers vested in Section 30(3) of the PEMRA Ordinance 2002 as amended by PEMRA (Amendment) Act 2007, hereby Suspends broadcast satellite TV Channel license conferred to M/s ARY Communications Ltd. (ARY News) with immediate effect, till further orders.” the notification read.

Here is a copy of the notification: