ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) has directed all satellite television channels to refrain from the broadcast, re-broadcast and live coverage of any “unfortunate/unpleasant incident such as explosion, blast, firing, terrorist attack etc.”
In an order dated Oct 13, a copy of which is available with Dawn, the media regulator said satellite television channels “must broadcast only such verified information, warranted by the department/law enforcement agency concerned”.
Television channels were further instructed to “effectively use time delay mechanism” and ensure that an independent editorial board be constituted in compliance with the provisions of Pemra laws and the Supreme Court judgement in 2018 suo motu case, as well as the Islamabad High Court’s order in a 2022 case, “with regard to the proper utilisation of prescribed procedure regarding delay mechanism”.
Pemra warned that legal action would be taken under Sections 29-A, 30 and 33 of the Pemra Ordinance 2002 in case of any violation.
The order also referred to a similar directive issued by Pemra in February 2023.
The development comes after the Centre imposed governor’s rule and emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Sunday, citing the provincial government’s “deliberate disengagement” from the fight against terrorism.
The move followed weeks of political tensions between the Centre and the PTI after the latter announced a long march to Islamabad to demand the release of its jailed founder, Imran Khan.
On Tuesday, a protest by PTI workers in KP’s Bara tehsil against the imposition of emergency and governor’s rule turned violent when the participants torched government buildings and clashed with riot police.