The leadership of Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) – a major coalition partner of ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) – has labelled as ‘regretful and unjustified’ the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) action against News24HD TV channel.

In a joint statement, PML-Q President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, Punjab Assembly Speaker Parvez Elahi and MNA Moonis Elahi raised the demand for withdrawing the Pemra order. Curbs on freedom of expression endanger democratic setup, they stressed, adding that democracy guarantees freedom of expression.

Pemra should show patience and has friendly ties with the media, they said, adding that supporting this Pemra act was out of question because it could create a sense of insecurity among the media workers as well.