KARACHI, April 25: The All Pakistan Newspapers Society has severely criticised the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) for issuing a show-cause notice to the Aaj television network and demanded that draconian rules and regulations be changed for ensuring a level-playing field for all media establishments.

In a resolution adopted in an emergency meeting of its executive committee, the APNS expressed serious concern over the notice issued to the television channel owned by the establishment of an APNS member publication, and described it as a major infringement by the regulatory authority of constitutionally guaranteed press freedom.

The APNS was of the considered opinion that Pemra could usefully function only as a facilitator body between the media and public.

According to a press release, the APNS executive committee was of the view that there were several lacuna in the law relating to electronic media.

The APNS drew the attention of the higher authorities to the circumstances which earlier led to an attack on a private channel’s establishment in Islamabad which was described by Gen Pervez Musharraf as a conspiracy against his government.

It pointed out that mal-intent behind the issuance of the notice to the Aaj television should also be viewed in an identical perspective.