Pakistan's electronic media watchdog bans 11 illegal Christian channels

[Andreea]

KARACHI: The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has blocked as many as 11 illegal Christian TV channels being run across the country, drawing strong criticism from the minority and rights activists.

The media watchdog is also said to have carried out a crackdown against the cable operators who were found airing the illegal TV channels.

PEMRA officials say the channels were blocked in line with the organization’s policy to ban all the illegal channels, dispelling the notion that any minority was the target of the campaign.

The PEMRA has also issued a notification directing all regional managers to take necessary measures to stop the transmission of the 11 illegal TV channels form cable TV networks.

Isaac TV, Gawahi TV, God Bless TV, Barkat TV, Praise TV, Zindagi TV, Shine TV, Jesus TV (Jessi TV), Healing TV, Khushkhabari TV, and Catholic TV are said to have been banned by the PEMRA, according to reports.

"What is the future of church media in Pakistan? It is a very difficult time for us. We were just trying to reach our own community who are generally ignored by other TV channels," Father Morris Jalal, founder and executive director of Catholic TV was quoted as saying by a foreign media outlet.