Awami National Party (ANP) lawmaker Sardar Hussain Babak on Friday condemned the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) for putting curbs on Geo TV
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Assembly when resumed its session on Friday, Babak diverted attention of the House towards PEMRA’s decision to suspend Geo TV’s licence for 15 days and imposing a Rs 10 million fine. He said, “Such act on the part of PEMRA must be condemned at each and every forum as it lacking defense opportunity on the part of Geo television.”
Babak recalled that since April 19 2013, Geo TV suffered a lot financially and administratively. He said that during this period the TV channel’s transmission was suspended and reshuffled from time to time. He said Geo TV anchor Hamid Mir and Daily Jang Multan resident editor were also injured in separate attacks. He denounced the federal government and asked PEMRA for early revision of the one-sided decision.
Later, several journalists covering the House proceedings staged a walk out and shouted slogans against the government and PEMRA. In the meantime, Babak and Education Minister Mushtaq Ahmad Ghani requested the journalists to end their protest and cover the proceedings.
On behalf of the KP government, Ghani also denounced PEMRA decision. He said that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf believed in justice and Geo TV should be given a right to defend itself.
