TV channels stop live broadcast of Altaf Hussain's speeches

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 4 August 2015

Pakistani news channels have halted live coverage of Altaf Hussain's speeches due to directives from PEMRA. The decision follows accusations of incendiary comments made by the MQM chief from London.

Summary

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani news channels have stopped live broadcast of MQM chief Altaf Hussain’s speeches following a directive from Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA). The MQM boss has been accused of delivering fiery and hate speeches against law enforcement authorities from his London secretariat. “The media has stopped live coverage of Altaf Hussain’s speeches while the government is considering a blanket ban on speeches of MQM chief,” said Federal Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Sunday. He said that Hussain’s speeches have often been inflammatory and provocative; therefore it is a wise decision to stop coverage of such sermons. The live coverage of Hussain’s addresses to public gatherings in Karachi hjas been stopped following his repeated tirade against law enforcers following a Rangers raid on Nine Zero, political headquarters of MQM in Karachi.

KEY POINTS:

• PEMRA directed suspension of live broadcasts.
• Altaf Hussain accused of hate speech.
• Government considers a blanket ban on his speeches.
• Decision aims to curb inflammatory remarks.
• Suspension follows Rangers raid on Nine Zero.