The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority Friday again resorted to its cunning ways to curb the press freedom in the country by suspending the 24 News TV channel licence.

Pemra has objected on the licence category of the channel and totally neglected the principal stance of the news channel and suspended the licence in a one-sided action.

The Pemra chairman has suspended the 24 News licence despite having no authority of suspending the licence of a TV channel.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister’s Focal Person on Information Fahad Haroon paid a surprised visit to Pemra Office. He remained in the Pemra chairman’s office after the Friday prayers.

After his departure, the Pemra chairman issued the illegal order of suspension of 24 News TV channel.

Reacting to the Pemra’s illegal action, Pakistan Federal Union of Journalist President Afzal Butt said that the union would do anything to save the workers of 24 News TV channel. He condemned Pemra action. He expressed solidarity with the 24 News TV channel and its workers.

On May 6, 2020, Pemra also suspended the NEO TV licence after the expiry of its show-cause notice period. Pemra said the transmissions by NEO channel were found to be illegal. Pemra said that the channel obtained licence only for entertainment shows but it had been broadcasting the current affairs shows too.

Later on May 11, the Supreme Court restored the licence of a NEO TV, and barred the Pemra from taking any action against it for a period of 15 days.

After hearing the arguments, the apex court's bench, led by Justice Mushir Alam, allowed the channel to return to airwaves and contest its case against the top media regulatory body.