Pakistan media watchdog suspends licence of news channel for airing ‘contemptuous’ remarks against judges

Pakistan’s media watchdog has suspended the licence of a TV channel for 30 days and imposed a fine of Rs 1 million on it after one of its controversial anchors voiced “contemptuous” remarks and “cast aspersions” on the judiciary.

The Pakistan Electronic Media Authority Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) took action against Bol News on Friday, according to a statement.

“PEMRA suspends Bol News for 30 days, fine of Rupees one million is also imposed,” PEMRA said in a tweet.

It said anchor Sami Ibrahim on January 13 “aired contemptuous remarks against the chief justice of the Lahore High Court (LHC) and other honourable judges while discussing the matter of appointment of judges in the LHC.