Federal Minister for Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage Senator Pervez Rashid . PHOTO: INP/FILE
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage Senator Pervez Rashid said on Wednesday that the government does not want to interfere in the affairs of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA).
Pemra is an independent institution and we do not want to interfere in its affairs, the minister said.
On Tuesday, Pemra announced that it has suspended Geo News, Geo Entertainment and Geo Tez’slicenses till May 28.
“I would like to congratulate all of Pemra’s private members for making this decision, keeping in mind Pemra’s rules and regulations as well as Pakistan’s constitution,” said Pemra private member, Mian Shams.
Confusion sparked late Tuesday evening when the government released a statement apparently from Pemra which disowned the decision by the members and claimed that Tuesday’s meeting had no legal standing.
The statement said that Tuesday’s meeting was an informal meeting attended only by five members.
“The Executive Member was not even asked to officially convene the meeting and notify it through the Secretary to the Authority which is the set procedure.”
However, a statement from PEMRA later 'disowned' the decision of the committee while also questioning the legality of the meeting.
COMMENTS (7)
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PMLN will only interfere in institutions where they have vested interests and see financial gains.
Same as Sharif and his twin brother not interested in Musharraf?
Government ?...........what Government ??
My Pakistan has become a laughing stock (joke) when we see the conditions of PEMRA, PCB, courts and the N-League Government. A totally dis-functional government with no rule of laws and full of corruption. We living in other countries feel ashamed of calling ourselves a Pakistani. My brothers/sisters of Pakistan, please do something otherwise it will be too late.
Should be read as..."government is not interested in doing anything about anything"!!
They can never ban GEO. Take my word for it. It will never happen.
Then why did you fire PEMRA chief? I can't take the flat lies of PMLN leaders anymore. 5 year deal, 10 year deal. Talks, no talks. Islamabad safe, not safe. No load shedding in 3 months, 3 years. No loan from Saudis. Come on. Who can trust these guys.