Case Update Status

On September 17, 2022. the Islamabad High Court (IHC) ordered PEMRA to restore ARY News transmission.

Summary of Case

"On September 17, 2022. the Islamabad High Court (IHC) ordered Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) to restore ARY News transmission. On Thursday, the PEMRA suspended transmission of ARY News for three days. Plaintiff Shah Khalid along with advocate Kashif Ali Malik appeared before the IHC in the case. The IHC while ordering immediate restoration of ARY News transmission directed the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority to appoint an officer to visit ARY Newsroom and evolve a ‘time delay mechanism’. The court has also issued notice to the PEMRA for Monday and has sought a response from the regulatory body. Read more: PEMRA suspends ARY News transmission for three days The PEMRA alleged that the suspension orders were issued regarding the ARY News and BOL News in view of the lack of an effective ‘time delay mechanism’. It is pertinent to mention here that ARY News used ‘time delay mechanism’ while airing PTI’s Gujranwala public rally but it was targeted again by the PEMRA. Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) announced to challenge PEMRA’s moves against ARY News and BOL News in the Islamabad High Court (IHC). PFUF condemns suspension of ARY News transmission Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has strongly condemned the suspension of ARY News transmission, terming it an ‘unfortunate act’. Talking to ARY News programme Bakhabar Sawera, PFUJ President Afzal Butt termed the suspension of channel’s transmission an ‘unfortunate act’, saying that coalition government illegally suspended the channel for four times. He further criticized the federal government, saying that the ruling coalition issued notice after suspending the channel. “The channel was not being given a chance to clarify its stance,” he added. "

Category of Incident

Censorship

ICCS Status

ICCS Divisions: 0803-Acts related to freedom of expression or control of expression

ICCS Group: 08039-Other acts related to freedom of expression or control of expression

ICCS Class: N/A

ICCS Crime: Acts related to freedom of expression or control of expression

Reported By

ARY News

Date of incident

15

Month

September

Year

2022

Name of affected person

No other person was affected

Other affected persons

No other person was affected

Name of affected organization

ARY News

Other affected organizations

No other organization affected

Action by

Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA)

City

Nationwide

Province

Nationwide

Designation

Organization

Professional category

Organization

Age of victim

Not applicable as PEMRA suspends transmission of News channel.

Marital Status

Compensation Details

Amount of compensation announced by government: No compensation announced

Date of compensation announcement by government: No compensation announced

Date of compensation paid by government: No compensation announced

Amount of compensation announced by others: No compensation announced

Date of compensation announced by others: No compensation announced

Date compensation paid by others: No compensation announced

FIR Details

Was FIR registered ?: No

Court Details

Was case investigated ?: Yes

Court where case was presented: Islamabad High Court (IHC)

Name of prosecuting lawyer: N/A

Date of first court hearing:

Date of last court hearing:

Status of court case: Case closed

Journalist Union Status

PFUJ

Condemn

APNS

N/A

CPNE

N/A

PBA

N/A

Media Source Status

Media reports:

Condemn Status

Colleague of victim

Condemn

Employer organization

Condemn

Press Club Status

Press club 1: Condemn

Press club 2: N/A

Press club 3: N/A