Pakistan enforces ban on TV channels from providing airtime to journalists, politicians critical of military and previous government

Pemra warned news channels of serious penalties in case of violating the directive and referred the matter to the Council of Complaints. Photo/AFP

Pakistan's electronic media watchdog has enforced a ban on TV channels from providing airtime to 11 individuals, including journalists, who have been accused of criticizing the military and the previous government led by Shehbaz Sharif. These individuals have been declared as "proclaimed offenders" or absconders by courts.

The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) issued a directive on Saturday, citing a decision from the Sindh High Court that such individuals cannot enjoy certain rights, such as appearing on television, according to a report by Dawn newspaper.

The Pemra directive also invoked section 27 of the Pemra Ordinance 2002, which "prohibits media coverage of the above-mentioned individuals being proclaimed offenders on electronic media and requires refraining from airing any news, reports, statements, or tickers involving these individuals."

Pemra warned news channels of serious penalties in case of violating the directive and referred the matter to the Council of Complaints.

Among the 11 individuals are Sabir Shakir, Moid Peerzada, Wajahat Saeed Khan, Shaheen Sehbai, Adil Farooq Raja, Ali Nawaz Awan, Murad Saeed, and Hammad Azhar.

Shakir, Peerzada, Saeed Khan, and Sehbai are journalists considered to be supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan. Khan was ousted from office in April of the previous year due to conflicts with the influential military establishment.

Saeed, Awan, and Azhar were members of Khan's government.

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Adil Farooq Raja, a former Army major residing in the UK, has been openly critical of the Army for their treatment of Khan.

These individuals have been implicated in various cases, a common tactic used to silence critics in Pakistan, and have been declared "proclaimed offenders" for failing to appear in court. It is believed that they have left the country to avoid arrest.

The tenure of the Sharif-led government ended when he dissolved the National Assembly on August 9, facilitating the establishment of a neutral caretaker setup to govern the country until the next general elections. (Agencies)