BOL being punished for exposing government's corruption, says Zardari

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 8 May 2017

Former President Asif Ali Zardari defended BOL, claiming the channel faced punitive measures from the government for revealing its misdeeds. He urged for the revocation of PEMRA's license cancellation orders following a high court stay.

Summary

ISLAMABAD - Former President Asif Ali Zardari Monday backed BOL and said the channel was being punished by the PML-N government for exposing its corruption.

At a time when BOL is highlighting government’s incompetence and corruption, it is refused security clearance, he said.

PEMRA ordered cancellation of BOL’s licenses because the government wanted this but the channel was back on the air after the high court granted a stay, Zardari said.

He said the government should tell PEMRA to withdraw its order without waiting for the high court’s decision.

On May 3, PEMRA announced the cancellation of BOL News and Pak News licenses after the interior ministry did not grant clearance to four of their directors. But the following day the Sindh High Court suspended the PEMRA order and granted stay.

Zardari said putting curbs on the media would prove costly for the government.

He recalled that during his term as president, the media criticized his government a lot but he faced that criticism without reacting.

Zardari appears on BOL as an analyst in the program Pakistan Khappay with President Asif Ali Zardari.

KEY POINTS:

• Zardari claims BOL is punished for exposing government corruption.
• PEMRA canceled BOL's licenses on the government's behalf.
• The Sindh High Court granted BOL a stay against the cancellation.
• Zardari emphasizes the importance of media freedom.
• The government risks backlash for curbing media operations.