Staff Report
QUETTA: The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) criticized the government and PEMRA for imposing a ban on the broadcast of speeches by the political leadership of the country, through a prohibition order issued on Thursday after Nawaz Sharif’s address to the Central Working Committee via video link from London.
In a joint statement, PFUJ President Shahzada Zulfiqar and Secretary-General Nasir Zaidi said Pemra is following dual standards taking dictation from those who are against media and freedom of speech and expression as earlier, the authority rejected a request to ban the broadcast of speeches of Pervez Musharaf and Pakistan Awami Tehrik leader Alama Tahir ul Qadri who have been absconding to face court proceedings since long.
PFUJ urged the government to ensure freedom of speech and expression in the country, guaranteed to citizens in Article 19 of the Constitution of Pakistan, and avoid practicing dual standards and interface in the workings of PEMRA.
“There is a need to make PEMRA a truly autonomous and independent body, instead of it following dictates of the government and Ministry of Information and Broadcasting,” the statement said.
