PEMRA warns 45 channels not airing Azan, issues final directive

JournalismPakistan.com | Published 7 years ago

ISLAMABAD – The regulator of electronic media, PEMRA has issued final directives to 45 television channels that violated a court order under which they were bound to air call to prayers five times a day.

On May 9, PEMRA had directed all channels to obey the Islamabad High Court order and air Azan five times each day.

It warned the erring channels that in case of non-compliance, their licenses would be suspended.

Among the channels issued the directives are ARY, Geo, Express, Samaa, Abb Takk, Jaag, NewsOne, Capital, Din, Neo, Channel 24, Sach, and BOL.

Explore Further

The most popular JournalismPakistan stories of 2025 explained

December 31, 2025: A year-end review of JournalismPakistan’s five most popular stories of 2025, capturing controversies, media launches, sports psychology debates, and the revival of a slain journalist’s digital legacy.

Family and team revive Arshad Sharif’s YouTube channel

December 29, 2025: Arshad Sharif’s YouTube channel has been revived by his family with support from longtime colleagues, aiming to preserve his legacy through memories and personal stories, not news.

Journalism is lost in Balochistan, Freedom Network study finds

December 28, 2025: A new Freedom Network report finds journalism in Balochistan under severe pressure, citing censorship, violence, economic decline, and digital isolation across Pakistan’s largest province.

Journalists outraged over treatment of KP leaders in Punjab Assembly

December 27, 2025: Pakistani journalists condemn the treatment of a Khyber Pakhtunkhwa delegation at the Punjab Assembly, raising concerns over media ethics, inter-provincial respect, and political conduct.

10 reasons why journalism matters more in Pakistan in 2026

December 26, 2025: Despite rising threats and misinformation, journalism in Pakistan remains vital in 2026. Here are 10 reasons why independent reporting is crucial for public trust and accountability.

Media control at play on ARY News or a broadcast mishap

December 26, 2025: A video showing Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal briefly interrupted during a live ARY News interview has gone viral, prompting debate over media control and official clarifications.

Pakistani media in 2025 tested by layoffs, laws, and trust

December 25, 2025: An in-depth year-ender examining how Pakistani media navigated layoffs, legal pressure, censorship, and innovation in 2025, highlighting key reporting, risks, and what lies ahead.

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.

Newsroom

CBS journalists urge leadership to protect editorial independence

December 30, 2025 Current and former CBS journalists are organizing a petition urging leadership to protect editorial independence after a high-profile investigative segment was pulled, raising newsroom governance concerns.

Ghana media group condemns court restrictions on journalist

December 30, 2025 Ghana’s Private Newspapers and Online News Publishers Association condemns court-imposed restrictions on journalist Innocent Samuel Appiah, warning of risks to press freedom and anti-corruption reporting.

China threatens detention over sharing Uyghur songs

December 30, 2025 China is threatening detention for sharing Uyghur-language songs in Xinjiang, highlighting how cultural expression is criminalized under censorship and counterterrorism controls.

Court orders release of Turkish journalist pending appeal

December 29, 2025 Turkish appeals court orders the release of journalist Fatih Altayli pending appeal against his threat conviction, marking a key moment in Turkey’s press freedom environment.

Egyptian press honors excellence as media freedom questions persist

December 29, 2025 Egyptian journalist Ingy Abdel-Wahab won two honors at the 2025 Egyptian Press Awards, highlighting professional excellence while underscoring ongoing press freedom and editorial independence concerns in Egypt.