PFUJ condemns PEMRA ban on discussions about references

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published 6 years ago

ISLAMABAD — Afzal Butt, President Pakistan Federal Union of Journalist (PFUJ) and Secretary-General Ayub Jan Sarhandi have condemned a PEMRA ban on media discussions, articles and editorials and making public comments on references against judges of the Supreme Court.

In a statement, the union leaders said such a ban could be termed to be against the freedom of speech, guaranteed in the Constitution of Pakistan, particularly the Article 19 which says: “Freedom of speech, etc.- Every citizen shall have the right to freedom of speech and expression, and there shall be freedom of the press, subject to any reasonable restrictions imposed by law in the interest of the glory of Islam or the integrity, security or defence of Pakistan or any part thereof, friendly relations with foreign States, public order, decency or morality, or in relation to contempt of court, 1[commission of] or incitement to an offence.”

It is the fundamental right of the citizens to know the reasons and causes of any issue about their interests and the consequences on the progress on society and the country, the PFUJ leaders said. 

Issuance of show cause notices to media houses on discussions on references filed against the judges is against the law, and the constitution and a ban will not have any positive impact on the proceedings of the supreme judicial council, they said.

“We demand immediate withdrawal of PEMRA advice No. 13(14)/OPS/2018/….. issued on May 30^th, 2019 and avoid such curbs on media to ensure freedom of media, speech, and expression and right to know what is happening in the country and abroad, the PFUJ leaders demanded.

Meanwhile, PEMRA on Saturday served notices on 14 news channels for violating its May 30^th advisory.

Read Next

PFUJ calls for end to Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists

 November 02, 2025: PFUJ urges Pakistan’s federal and provincial governments to end Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists and ensure their safety and press freedom.

Global impunity for journalist murders worsens as Pakistan sees 60 percent rise in attacks

 November 02, 2025: Impunity for crimes against journalists deepens worldwide as Pakistan reports a 60 percent surge in attacks and weak enforcement of safety laws.

Pakistan Press Foundation documents 137 attacks on journalists in 2025

 November 01, 2025: Pakistan Press Foundation reports 137 attacks on journalists in 2025, highlighting rising threats, legal harassment, and censorship on the International Day to End Impunity.

Anchor Talat Hussain laughs as Marwat makes vulgar comment on air

 November 01, 2025: A viral Samaa TV clip featuring MNA Sher Afzal Marwat’s crude remarks and Talat Hussain’s laughter raises questions about the declining ethics of Pakistani television.

Why was this DawnNews TV journalist targeted in a foiled murder plot?

 October 31, 2025: Police foiled a plot to kill DawnNewsTV journalist Tahir Naseer in Rawalpindi after arresting suspects hired for Rs200,000. Naseer says threats followed his reporting.

CPJ calls on Pakistan to prosecute killers of journalist Imtiaz Mir

 October 31, 2025: CPJ calls on Pakistan to bring Imtiaz Mir’s killers to justice after the journalist was allegedly murdered by a banned militant group in Karachi.

PFUJ urges quashing of fabricated case against journalist Matiullah Jan

 October 30, 2025: The PFUJ has condemned a fabricated drug case against journalist Matiullah Jan, calling it an attempt to silence him and urging authorities to quash the charges immediately.

NewsOne TV hit by layoffs and unpaid wages, channel remains on air

 October 30, 2025: NewsOne TV remains on air but faces mass layoffs and delayed salaries, exposing Pakistan’s worsening media crisis and financial instability.