The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) on Thursday issued a show cause notice to a private TV channel, Channel 24, for airing a fake audio clip following the crash of the ill-fated Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight PK-661.

The Pemra notification reads that the channel reportedly aired screams of the passengers, moments before the crash.

“Audiences expressed their displeasure on it, submitted complaints at the Pemra complaint centre and on the authority's twitter account," added the statement.

The notification went on to say that the audiences “protested over the insensitive display by the channel and demanded action against its irresponsible and unprofessional attitude".

Pemra directed the channel's administration to produce evidence that the alleged audiotape was of the passenger cabin of the ATR aircraft, and in the event it was, to reveal how it was recorded, transported to the channel and under which mechanism, the channel had the confirmation that the tape was authentic.

The notification added further that the act by the channel is in defiance of Pemra laws, particularly the Electronic Media Code of Conduct 2015, claws 3(1), 8(2) and 17.

The regulator ordered the channel to explain its position before the authority before December 15.