Pemra suspends licences of two TV channels

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) has suspended TV licences of Neo TV and Din News for hurling baseless allegations on an honourable judge of the Supreme Court of Pakistan in their respective TV programmes.

Both the TV channels have also been fined an amount of Rs1 million. Another TV channel Such TV has also been fined Rs1 million for airing a caller’s objectionable words.

On November 19, 2016 the authority had served show cause notices on Neo TV, Din News and Such TV and directed them to submit their reply on November 26, 2016. On the said date, the three TV channels through a written reply presented their point of view but failed to convince the authority.

After hearing their points of view and going through their written reply, the Pemra suspended Din news channel for 30 days besides imposing a fine of Rs1 million. The TV channel is directed to deposit the fine amount within 15 days. 

The decision will come into force on December 1, 2016 12.00 pm. It has also been conveyed to the TV channel that on resumption of its programme, it will submit a clear and unequivocal apology for maligning the courts of the country.

Neo TV channel’s telecast has also been suspended for a period of 7 days besides a fine of Rs1 million. The TV channel is also directed to deposit the fine amount within 15 days. In Neo TV case too, the decision will also come into force on December 1, 2016 12.00 pm. and it has also been conveyed to the TV channel that on resumption of its programme the TV anchor person Ahmed Qureshi will be required to submit apology and behave responsibly in future with regard to his comment about judges and courts of the country.

Such TV is also fined an amount of Rs1 million for airing a call of an irresponsible caller Ali Nawaz and directed to deposit the fine amount within 15 days.