Restore ARY: PFUJ to set up protest camps outside PEMRA offices

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 27 August 2022

The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists plans protests to reinstate ARY News transmission, suspended since August. They aim to advocate for 4000 employees' livelihoods.

Summary

ISLAMABAD—The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) will set up protest camps outside regulator PEMRA's Islamabad headquarters and regional offices to press for restoring ARY News transmission.

The channel remains off cable networks since August 8 for airing a controversial statement by PTI Chairman Imran Khan's chief of staff Shahbaz Gill.

PEMRA has not lifted the ban despite a Sindh High Court order earlier this month to restore the transmission.

President PFUJ Afzal Butt said the protest starting Monday would continue until ARY News returned to the airwaves. "We observed a Black Day throughout the country on August 23 to protest ARY's closure," he said.

"We expected that the Sindh High Court or the government might issue some orders concerning ARY's transmission on August 24, but that did not happen."

Anwar Raza, President of National Press, Islamabad, said that it was unfortunate that PEMRA blamed the cable operators for ARY's blockage. "We are aware of all that, and our protest aims to restore ARY's transmission and protect the livelihoods of 4000 employees."

Photo: Twitter (@kashanakmal)