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Pakistani court orders immediate restoration of main TV channel’s transmission

Journalists and employees of ARY News carry placards as they chant slogans during a protest against the channel being taken off air by the government in Karachi, Pakistan, on August 16, 2022. (AFP/File)
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Updated 01 September 2022
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Pakistani court orders immediate restoration of main TV channel’s transmission

  • ARY News was taken off-air on August 8 for airing controversial remarks by ex-PM's aide
  • On August 11, Sindh High Court (SHC) directed media regulator to restore ARY’s transmission
Updated 01 September 2022
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: A Pakistani high court on Thursday directed the country’s media regulator to restore a private news channel’s transmission suspended three weeks ago for airing controversial remarks by a politician.  
ARY News was taken off air in several cities of Pakistan on August 8 after former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s top aide, Dr. Shahbaz Gill, said military personnel should not follow the commands of their top officials if they were “against the sentiments of the masses.” Pakistan’s media regulator said Gill’s comments amounted to inciting mutiny within the army.   

A couple of days later, Pakistan’s interior ministry cancelled the private news channel’s no-objection certificate on the basis of “adverse reports from agencies.” The move drew widespread condemnation from journalists and civil rights activists. 

On August 11, the Sindh High Court (SHC) ordered Pakistan’s media regulator to immediately restore the channel’s transmission. Despite the court’s orders, ARY News has said the channel’s transmission has not been restored.  

On Thursday, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) heard a petition filed by ARY News employees against the “arbitrary and illegal” suspension of the channel’s transmissions. It also cited SHC’s earlier directives to PEMRA in which it ordered the media regulator to restore ARY’s transmissions.   

“The Chairman Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority is directed to nominate a senior official to appear before the Court and explain why the transmissions of ARY channel are not being restored,” the Islamabad High Court (IHC) stated in an order.  

“In case no order has been passed by a competent authority, then the Authority (chairman PEMRA) shall forthwith restore the transmission,” it added.  

Pakistan says Roosevelt Hotel deal still being structured after PIA sale

Updated 4 sec ago
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Pakistan says Roosevelt Hotel deal still being structured after PIA sale

  • The century-old Manhattan hotel is among state-owned properties under review as Islamabad pushes a privatization drive
  • Pakistan said this year it was examining multiple options after international media reported the hotel’s possible demolition
Updated 4 sec ago
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s defense minister Khawaja Asif said on Wednesday the government was working on structuring a transaction for the Roosevelt Hotel in New York, a day after a leading Pakistani consortium bought a majority stake in Pakistan International Airlines, as Islamabad presses ahead with efforts to offload loss-making state assets.

Asif’s comments came after the Arif Habib Group acquired 75 percent of PIA for Rs 135 billion ($482 million), marking the government’s first major privatization deal in years and reviving focus on the future of other high-value state-owned assets, including the Roosevelt Hotel, which is owned by PIA through its investment arm.

The hotel, a century-old Manhattan property located near Grand Central Terminal, Times Square and Fifth Avenue, is considered one of Pakistan’s most valuable overseas assets, though it was closed in 2020 due to heavy losses. Asked about the future of the property following the PIA privatization, Asif told Geo TV it was still a work in progress.

“The shape of the transaction is being made,” he said, adding that a previous offer of around $375 million had not materialized.

Pakistan’s privatization plans for the Roosevelt have faced repeated delays.

Earlier this year, Muhammad Ali, adviser to the prime minister on privatization, said the government was examining multiple options after Bloomberg reported plans for its demolition.

Ali said there were various options on the table, including continuing hotel operations or entering a joint venture in which Pakistan would contribute the land while a partner brings in equity.

The government also said it wanted to complete the Roosevelt Hotel’s privatization this year, though the plan does not seem close to completion.

Topics: Roosevelt Hotel Roosevelt Hotel Privitisation PIA privatization Pakistan’s defense minister Khawaja Asif

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