Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) Friday suspended Channel-24 licence from 1700 hours to 0000 hours (midnight) for seven days starting from December 27.

The decision in this regard was taken at a meeting chaired by PEMRA Chairman Absar Alam for airing a false and unverified audio clip of the PIA plane crash near Havelian on December 7.

Bedsides suspension, a fine of Rs 1 million was also imposed on the channel. PEMRA had issued a show-cause notice to the channel directing its management to reply by December 15. But the management in its reply to show-cause notice and personal hearing could not prove their claim.

The authority took this decision keeping in view the gravity of the violation, its adverse mental and psychological impact on victims’ families and the general public that was already going through an emotional trauma.

The authority’s decision had also been conveyed to PAKSAT and instructions had been issued to PAKSAT to implement PEMRA decision, separate instructions had also been issued to the cable operators to follow the decision.

PEMRA authority meeting also discussed the non-payment of the outstanding dues Rs 1 million by Punjab TV and decided to suspend its licence too.