The government allegedly suspended the transmission of two private television channels in major parts of the country on Sunday, because of their “anti-government” programmes.The transmissions of Geo and Aaj TV were blocked in the country’s major cities, including Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad, after 10pm. Channel authorities alleged that the government had forced cable operators into suspending their transmissions. A Geo TV newsroom official from Karachi told Daily Times that the government had imposed a ban on Geo. He alleged that the Cable Operators Association of Pakistan (CAP) had told Geo that the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority and the federal government had instructed them to suspend transmission.
Meanwhile, Aaj TV News Controller Masoom Osmani said a “technical” fault could be responsible for the interruption, adding he was contacting the government to confirm the actual situation. He did not rule out a government attempt to block the private media’s coverage of the judicial crisis, saying a PEMRA notice had instructed them to stop airing live debates and shows.
Federal Information Minister Muhammad Ali Durrani said, “I am not aware of any official suspension.” He said he should be contacted after 30 minutes, but was not available for comment despite repeated tries following the prescribed time period.