ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s media regulator issued a directive for all satellite television channels this week, asking them to comply with its code of conduct by ensuring no speculative or false information was aired that could hamper the smooth conduct of the electoral exercise or face “strict action.”
The notification followed a complaint by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) that expressed concerns about recent stories that insinuated at a possible election delay in the country.
The national elections were originally expected to take place in November after Pakistan’s national and two provincial assemblies were dissolved in August before reaching the end of their tenure. However, the ECP decided to redraw hundreds of national and provincial constituencies on the basis of a digital census carried out earlier this year in April before arranging the electoral contest. Its officials later scheduled the voting process for the last week of January before announcing Feb. 8 as the final date after consultations with the country’s President Dr. Arif Alvi on the Supreme Court’s instructions.
Given Pakistan’s uncertain political environment, however, local media outlets have continued to speculate about the possibility of yet another delay.
“Dissemination of such news [about delay in national polls] may undermine the preparedness of Election Commission of Pakistan for conducting General Elections on 8th February, 2024,” Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) said in a notification issued on Nov. 3.
It noted such media content could impact ECP’s “credibility” and shatter “public trust and confidence in the electoral process.”
“Therefore, it is reiterated that all the licensees while airing their transmission prior to General Elections 2024 must be mindful of the fact that no such content / discussion / comment is aired which may create doubts or an impression in the minds of general public with regard to conduct of General Elections 2024 or may sabotage elections through any negative / false news, information or report aired on any satellite TV channel, inadvertently,” it continued.
“Airing of any such news / content would be deemed in violation of PEMRA Laws,” it said while warning of “strict action” against such satellite TV channels.
Pakistan’s media regulator vows ‘strict action’ against channels for speculative reporting on national polls
https://arab.news/rnm5b
Pakistan’s media regulator vows ‘strict action’ against channels for speculative reporting on national polls
- PEMRA says false information or media content about the general elections may shatter public confidence in voting process
- Local media outlets have been speculating about election delay despite ECP’s announcement to hold the polls on February 8
Pakistan shuts key motorway routes as dense fog envelopes parts of Punjab
- Pakistan shuts Lahore to Sambrial, Thokar Niaz Baig to Kot Momin areas along motorway due to reduce visibility
- Motorway police advise citizens to avoid overspeeding, lane violations and unnecessary traveling amid smog conditions
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani authorities closed key routes on the motorway on Saturday night as thick fog enveloped parts of the eastern Punjab province, the motorway police said in a statement, to save lives and reduce the chance of accidents due to reduced visibility.
Punjab cities face worsening smog each winter, driven by crop burning, vehicle emissions and industrial pollution that threatens public health and daily life. The smog season typically begins in late October, peaks between November and January and can persist through February.
As per a statement released by the National Highways and Motorway Police (NHMP), the M-2 motorway was closed from Thokar Niaz Baig to Kot Momin, the M-3 motorway section was closed from Faizpur to Darkhana and the M-4 area from Pindi Bhattiyan to Abdul Hakeem was also closed. The M-11 route was also closed from the provincial capital Lahore to Sambrial.
“The closure of motorways is aimed at ensuring the safety of life and property of the public,” NHMP’s central region spokesperson said in a statement.
He warned that lane violations during the prevalent smog can cause accidents, adding that visibility on the National Highway ranges from zero to 100 meters.
“Citizens are advised to prefer traveling during daytime hours,” he said. “Safe traveling time is from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.”
The police spokesperson urged citizens to avoid overspeeding and advised them to keep a safe distance from the vehicle ahead while driving.
The development takes place as two of Pakistan’s largest cities, Karachi and Lahore, were ranked among the top 10 most polluted cities in the world by the Swiss air monitoring agency IQAir on Sunday morning.
Karachi was ranked as the fourth-most polluted city in the world with an air quality index of 215 (very unhealthy) while Lahore was placed at number five with an AQI of 199 (unhealthy).
