ISLAMABAD – The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has ordered the restoration of all private news channels across the country following a day-long blackout in the wake of deadly clashes between security agencies and Tehreek-e-Labbaik protesters in the federal capital.
The electronic media watchdog issued new guidelines for the mainstream media including TV channels and news websites on Sunday – a day after it had ordered cable operators to take all news channels off air.
On Saturday, authorities ordered private television channels to go off air during a police and paramilitary crackdown on the protesters staging a sit-in in Islamabad since November 9.
The suspension was ordered by the PEMRA for violating media regulations showing live coverage of a security operation, a statement from the regulator said. State-run Pakistan Television continued to broadcast, but aired a talk show discussing politics.
The regulatory body, prior to its decision to take news channels off air, had directed media houses to ensure the security of their staff while the tense security situation persisted across the country.
Police used tear gas and water cannon and fought running battles with stone-throwing Islamist activists, as they moved to clear a protest by religious hard-liners who have blocked main routes into Islamabad for more than two weeks.
PEMRA had earlier barred media from live coverage of the Islamabad Operation under the Media Code of Conduct 2015.
Social media also remained suspended in the country.
In a press release, the Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA) strongly condemned the unilateral closure of news channels by the government. The All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) expressed concern over the sudden closure of television channels and their transmission.
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram are not accessible in Pakistan, while YouTube can only be accessed via the mobile application. Access has also been blocked to the live stream pages of major news channels in Pakistan.
Protesters renewed violence early Sunday morning as they resorted to arson and pelted stones at police, a day after authorities commenced an operation to clear Faizabad Interchange of the sit-in that had paralysed the federal capital.
The protesters began pelting stones at policemen and set fire to five motorcycles and a car belonging to the police near I-8 sector earlier today, police said.
On Saturday, a protester was killed while over 250 people including 90 policemen and FC personnel, as protests, took a violent turn in the capital. Around 8,000 security officials took part in the operation aimed at dispersing the protesters with the help of tear gas and water cannons.
