IHC sets aside PEMRA action against TV channels over Faizabad sit-in coverage

The Islamabad High Court has set aside a Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority decision against several television channels over the alleged broadcast of hate speech during the Faizabad sit-in.

Justice Inam Amin Minhas issued a 15-page written judgment while accepting appeals filed by the television channels against PEMRA’s decision.

The court remanded the matter back to PEMRA and directed the media regulator to hear the channels afresh before issuing a new decision.

The IHC said PEMRA must provide all affected channels a full opportunity to present their case and complete the proceedings in accordance with law.

PEMRA had imposed a fine of Rs1 million on each of the television channels in 2024 over their coverage related to the Faizabad sit-in.

The channels subsequently challenged the regulator’s action before the Islamabad High Court.

The court has now annulled the earlier PEMRA decision while leaving the matter open for reconsideration by the regulatory authority after fresh hearings.