Decision to take TV channels off air was a difficult one, says Marriyum Aurangzeb

State minister for information says decision was made because of 'provocative' coverage by a few TV channels

After the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) allowed TV channels to go back on air on Sunday, State Minister for Information Marriyum Aurangzeb said the decision to block their transmission was a difficult one, taken to prevent unrest in the country.

“The transmission of all news channels has been restored on the Prime Minister’s [Shahid Khaqan Abbasi] directives,” she said in a statement. She added that the directives were issued after reaching an agreement over a code of conduct on reporting.



Hours after security forces launched the crackdown on protesters on Saturday, Pemra shut down transmission of all private news channels, accusing them of violating media regulations by airing live coverage of the operation.

“Blocking the channels was a difficult and painful decision but it had to be done because of the 'provocative' coverage [of the Faizabad crackdown] by a few TV channels,” the minister said, adding that the government believed in the freedom of expression and speech.

“We are all working together for national security. It’s our collective responsibility to protect precious civilian lives through positive reporting.”