ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) on Monday issued a show cause notice to ARY News for telecasting comments based on hearsay, trying to spread fear and apparently attempting to influence the cases in the Supreme Court.
The PEMRA has given seven days to the management of ARY News for filing a reply. PEMRA can impose Rs one million fine, suspend the licence of the channel or even cancel its licence under Section 30, a PEMRA press release said.
It is worth mentioning that in its 1200 hours news bulletin on November 7 (Monday), at 1236 hours an interview of Asad Kharal was aired in which he stated baseless things about a case in the Supreme Court.
PEMRA auctions licenses for 32 FM radio stations
Separately, PEMRA auctioned FM radio licenses for 32 radio channels.
The highest bid, Rs 19.1 million, was offered for DG Khan FM radio followed by Chinyot FM channel Rs 17.5 million, Charsadda Rs 10.06 million, Dadu Rs 5 million and Attock Rs 3.4 million.
34 licenses offered for auction included Attock, Astore, Awaran, Benazirabad, Bahawalnagar, Bannu, Buner, Barkhan, Chaghai, Chicha Watni, Dadu, Dera Allah Yar, Dera Murad Jamali, Digri, DG Khan, Daska, DI Khan, Diamer, Gilgit, Ghizer, Ghanche, Gojra, Hafizabad, Hunza-Nagar, Hala, Hangu, Jacobabad, Jhang, Jaranwala, Jhangira, Jhal Magsi and Jaffar Abad.
No bids were received for Barakhan and Chaghai FM channels.
The two-day bidding process for auction of FM licenses for 67 cities will continue tomorrow and licenses for 33 more channels will be auctioned.
