Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA) has condemned Pemra’s order issued on Wednesday suspending the licence of PBA member TV channel “NEO”.

In a statement issued by the Pakistan Broadcasters Association, the PBA said that by doing this Pemra has endangered the livelihood of over 600 workers.

On the one hand, the Pemra continued to issue fresh licences to new TV channels, although the existing analogue cable system does not have the capacity to carry more channels and on the other it is suspending licences of channels already on air.

The PBA demanded that the Pemra to withdraw its suspension order and give the channel a fair and sympathetic hearing.

It is pertinent to note that Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) on Wednesday 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.

The Pemra said that the channel obtained licence only for entertainment shows but it has been broadcasting the current affairs shows too.