IHC orders PEMRA to restore ARY News to its original number

JournalismPakistan.com | Published 3 years ago

ISLAMABAD—The Islamabad High Court (IHC) Wednesday ordered Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) to restore ARY News to its original number on the cable networks, ARY News reported.

The IHC bench, while hearing the petition related to the closure of ARY News and shifting it to lower numbers in the sequence, ordered the PEMRA chairman to restore ARY News to its original number by 4:00 pm. The bench also asked him to appear before the court if the complaint remained unresolved.

ARY News transmission was suspended in parts of the country Tuesday.

Journalism at a crossroads as press freedom erodes in Pakistan

December 21, 2025: Pakistan’s journalism faces growing repression through intimidation, PECA cases, economic pressure, and enforced silences, raising urgent questions about press freedom.

Matiullah Jan calls out journalist unions over cozy ties with authorities

December 20, 2025: Senior journalist Matiullah Jan criticizes journalist union leadership at an Islamabad conference, calling for reform, youth inclusion, and a stronger collective response to Pakistan’s media crisis.

Tarar says Rs86 crore worth of government ads given to Dawn Media Group

December 20, 2025: Information Minister Attaullah Tarar says the government allocated 86 crore in ads to Dawn Media Group, stressing transparency and that media groups manage employee payments.

Islamabad court grants post-arrest bail to journalist Sohrab Barkat

December 19, 2025: Islamabad court approves post-arrest bail for journalist Sohrab Barkat in a case linked to controversial videos and tweets filed by the National Cyber Crime Agency.

JournalismPakistan cofounder Stephen Webb releases Dusk memoir

December 19, 2025: JournalismPakistan cofounder Stephen Webb releases Dusk, a poetic memoir blending memory and myth, reflecting on Punjab villages, faith, and belonging shaped by decades in journalism.

Pakistan minister flags AI impact on advertising jobs

December 18, 2025: Pakistan’s information minister warns AI is disrupting advertising jobs and invites proposals to protect creative professionals, signaling an early policy debate on AI and employment.

PTI announces boycott of select TV anchors and talk shows

December 18, 2025: Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf announces a boycott of several prominent TV anchors and talk shows, directing party leaders and spokespersons to avoid appearing on the listed programs.

Pakistan to launch BEEP secure messaging app for officials

December 17, 2025: Pakistan plans to launch the BEEP secure messaging app for government officials by June 2026, modeled on WeChat, with end-to-end encryption and oversight by NITB.

Newsroom

Israel extends foreign media restriction law to 2027

December 24, 2025 Israel’s Knesset has extended emergency legislation allowing limits on foreign media outlets until 2027, prompting renewed concern from press freedom groups over long-term impacts on reporting.

CPJ urges probe into attacks on Bangladesh media

December 24, 2025 Press freedom groups led by CPJ call for swift, transparent investigations into attacks on Bangladesh media, warning that violence against news outlets threatens free expression ahead of elections.

China bans obscene content sharing on private messaging

December 24, 2025 China has introduced new rules banning the sharing of obscene content on private messaging platforms, raising concerns among media analysts over censorship, privacy, and digital news circulation.

Indonesian journalists urge fair policies to support media

December 24, 2025 Indonesian journalists urge the government to adopt fair, non-discriminatory policies to support journalism as newsrooms face layoffs, digital disruption, and pressure from social media platforms.

RSF warns over 500 journalists will spend holidays in prison

December 24, 2025 RSF says more than 500 journalists will spend the year-end holidays in prison, highlighting China, Russia, Myanmar, and Belarus as leading jailers of the press worldwide.