PEMRA imposed ban on media outlets to cover the proscribed TLP's activities

 PEMRA bars news channels, cable operators, FM Radios and Internet Protocol Televisions under Electronic Media Code of Conduct, 2015

Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) on Thursday barred TV channels and all other media outlets from covering any activity of the proscribed outfit Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP).

The PEMRA decision came as the proscribed TLP's long march towards entered into seventh day. The negotiations so far failed between TLP and government of Pakistan. the Prime Minister Imran Khan has called the meeting of National Security Committee to discuss the situation arises out of the protest.  Four police men has so far been killed and more than 80 injured as the result of clashes. The proscribed outfit also claims that some of their activists have been killed. 

An official notification issued by the PEMRA said that the restriction has been imposed under the Electronic Media (Programmes and Advertisements) Code of Conduct, 2015, which prohibits covering proscribed organisations.

"Ministry of Interior had declared the TLP as a proscribed organisation for being engaged in act of terrorism [...]" on April 15, 2021,  read the statement.

According to the statement, all satellite TV channels, FM radio stations and distribution services networks (cable TV operators and Internet Protocol television) have been directed to stop disseminating information about the proscribed outfit.

Earlier in the day, the Federal Investigation Agency's (FIA) Cyber Crime Wing announced that it has launched an operation against the proscribed outlet's social media accounts.

A statement issued by the FIA said that 12 people were arrested during the crackdown in Lahore, Faisalabad, Nankana Sahab, Islamabad, and other cities of Punjab.

According to the statement, arrested individuals were involved in uploading hate-inciting material and doctored images on the internet through the proscribed organisation's social media handles.

It should be recalled that on Wednesday, Minister for Interior Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad had directed the authorities concerned to launch a crackdown on the social media accounts of the proscribed outfit.

Sources within the FIA said that they received the instructions, adding that they would initiate action against the social media accounts of the prescribed organisation starting Wednesday.

                                                        Rukhsana Manzoor  Deputy Editor