In an unusual move, the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) canceled the operating license of ARY News late at night. Acc...
In an unusual move, the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) canceled the operating license of ARY News late at night.
According to a Dawn newspaper report, the security clearance of the channel was earlier withdrawn by the Home Ministry, paving the way for the TV's permanent shutdown.
Earlier in a notification, the Ministry of Home Affairs had said that the NOC issued in favor of M/SARY Communication Pvt Ltd (ARY News) based on adverse reports from the agencies immediately and is canceled until further orders.'
Also Read: Federal Home Ministry cancels NOC of 'ARY News'
The decision was taken by PEMRA during its 172nd meeting presided over by the re-appointed chairman Salim Baig.
Regulatory authority sources said that Saleem Baig chaired the meeting in the presence of three other members, while four including Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Chairman, Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Chairman and Home Secretary. Members joined the meeting through video link.
After detailed information and background on renewal of operating license, the working paper of the meeting said that the Ministry of Home Affairs vide letter dated 10.11.2021 has initially issued an application for renewal of satellite TV license of ARY Communication Limited. OC/Security Clearance was given.
However, the Ministry has withdrawn the NOC in respect of M/s ARY Communication Limited (ARY News) vide a letter dated 11.8.2022.
Read more: Sindh High Court order to restore ARY News
"In view of the Ministry of Home Affairs and based on the fact that the mandatory requirement of security clearance has not been fulfilled, the NOC has been withdrawn, the license issued by ARY Communication Limited," the letter said. Application for renewal for a further period of 15 years will not be entertained.
Although both Chairman PEMRA and DG Tahir Sheikh did not respond to queries regarding the outcome of the meeting, sources confirmed that the authority has approved the notification sent by the Ministry of Interior and the electronic media regulator is now nationwide. can 'legally' stop the channel from broadcasting.
However, ARY broadcast continued in many cities including Karachi on Friday night as the authority had not issued any official notice in this regard.
The decision to shut down the news channel met with disapproval in the board.
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The ARY administration condemned the ban, saying the network was being targeted by the federal government.
He said the move amounted to 'economic murder of over 4,000 media workers associated with the news channel', adding that the Home Ministry's notification would be taken to the courts as it was issued without any notice.
Azhar Abbas, president of the Association of Electronic Media Editors and News Directors, condemned it as an 'excessive measure' and said such measures have never worked, urging the government to take the decision immediately. take it back
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