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ISLAMABAD – Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has directed all TV channels, FM radio stations and distribution service networks (Cable TV Operators, IPTV) to stop the media coverage of proscribed organization TLP under the Section 27 of PEMRA Ordinance 2002.
The Authority had issued a letter with the subject, ‘Ban on media coverage of proscribed organization under Section 27 of PEMRA Ordinance 2002.’ It said, reference is made to the letter of Ministry of Interior vide S.R.O No. 479(1) 2021 dated 15th April, 2021 wherein the ministry had declared TLP as a proscribed organization for being engaged in act of terrorism, acting in a manner prejudicial to the peace and security of the country and letter issued by the Authority dated April 15, 2021 on the subject matter.
It is reiterated that Regulation 18(h) of PEMRA (Television Broadcast Station Operation) Regulation, 2012 and Clause 16 of Electronic Media Code of Conduct, 2015 requires that the programmes shall conform to the laws of the country. Further, Clause 3 (3) of Electronic Media Code of Conduct, 2015 prohibits media coverage of proscribed organizations. It further said, keeping in view these reasons, in exercise of the powers conferred under Section 27 of PEMRA Ordinance 2002 as amended by PEMRA Amendment Act 2007 all satellite TV channels, FM radio stations and distribution service networks (Cable TV Operators, IPTV) are hereby directed to stop the media coverage of TLP.
Meanwhile, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has clarified that the federal government under Article 17 (2) of the Constitution of Pakistan and Section 212 of the Election Act, can ban a political party.
The ECP elaborated that the federal government can ban a political party if the federal government received information from any source that a political party was harmful to the sovereignty or integrity of Pakistan or involved in terrorism.
About the procedure, the ECP said that as per law the federal government sends the reference to the Supreme Court within 15 days and if the Supreme Court rules in favour of the reference, the political party will be considered dissolved with immediate effect. It further said that the ECP on the SC decision will announce members of the banned political party as disqualified for becoming members of National Assembly, Provincial Assembly or Local Government.