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The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) and Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) on Sunday ordered that all private news channels be allowed to resume transmission, and all social media websites be unblocked, a day after they were blocked in Islamabad and other parts of the country.
The private news channels were taken off-air in the capital and other parts of the country on Saturday as Pemra issued a notification prohibiting live coverage of the operation to end the Faizabad sit-in.
A notification from Pemra announced on Sunday that all news and current affairs satellite TV channels have "immediately been restored".
"All distribution networks have been directed to restore these channels on their original positions immediately," the Pemra press release said.
Read more: Pemra guidelines for media houses in wake of Faizabad crackdown
The federal government also issued a policy directive asking Pemra to take channels off air if they violate the agreed-upon guidelines regarding coverage of the Faizabad sit-in in Islamabad, as well as protests elsewhere in the country.
Pemra, on Saturday, had ordered channels to abide by Clause 8 (8) of the Electronic Media (Programmes and Advertisement) Code of Conduct 2015, to show "utmost sensitivity" and refrain from coverage of the operation.
"This channel is suspended on orders of Pemra," read a message appearing on multiple news channels.
Social media websites to be unblocked
A PTA spokesperson told DawnNews on Sunday that social media websites will be unblocked all over the country, as directed by the authority.
Facebook, YouTube, DailyMotion, Twitter and Instagram had been blocked in some parts of the country on Saturday just as Pemra took private news channels off air.
A source told DawnNews that various social media sites had been blocked on Saturday on the Interior Ministry's orders in light of the sensitive security situation in the country.
The PTA source had said at the time that internet services in Faizabad and the surrounding areas have also been suspended.
Meanwhile, citizens have expressed anger over the suspension of services, with many accusing the government of clamping down on the media.
Follow Dawn.com's live coverage of the Islamabad operation here.
Comments (29) Closed
Corrupt faces chasing corrupt teams. Funny game. Masses love stuff
Good decision by the govt
I have full access to the social media being in Sydney. But I can tell you what I am reading on Pakistani social media is hilariously false. It will spread hatred and wrong information about the current situation. According to Pakistani social media there is only one saint in Pakistan whose name is Imran Khan.
This started happening as soon as Hafeez Saaid was released from so called house arrest. Is their a link or it only coincedental. One wonders.
WEEK Governments always use this tactic. The first one to hit is always the MEDIA including Social Media Internet in current times.
Internet blocked? Pakistan has become "held" kashmir.
Chinese government often suspends Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, E-mail, internet.
The enemy is trying everything. But we are confident it would continue to bite the dust.
Dictatorship in motion so much for n league style democracy
Wonder how would it help..ostrich can sink its head in the sand but would it help the trouble to ho away
WTHH
PMLN and its Government are worse than dictators.
Where is so called democracy, freedom of journalism and human rights? In my view, political dictorship is in action headed by disqualified Nawaz Sharif, we have to get rid of dirty politics, stubbornness and self-interest type mindsets who have miserably failed to run country. Enough is enough!
Banana Republic
A true state of chaos lies just below the surface
I have been trying to send my documents through WhatsApp but unsuccessful bad policy
Internet blocked?? No issue just use any VPN software and resume all social media again
Just download a VPN and resume your social media again
Govt is showing there proper incompetency!
The goal is spread of uttter confusion & chaos an environment most conducive for authoritarianism.
Practice of Chinese management.
Exactly how sensitive does the Interior Ministry believe this is? These sights had to be suspended to keep additional radicals from coordinating their activities.
On ehat grounds have they shut down tinder ?!
@Muneer y'all blame PML-N when they-who-must-not-be-named (aka the boys) cause all chaos all while fooling the entire nation.
Pakistan is facing the worst kind of dictatorship and the worst form of Monarchy thesedays.
@M. Emad China don't have Democracy; Pakistan have. But again in a way you are right " Pakistan have Autocracy"
Why did the blocked them in first place? where do the tax paying civilians get their information from? Non Pakistanis were more informed about the situation than us who were sitting clueless wondering what is happening? this is so convenient, "hey there's a protest rally lets block all the information! incompetent and inept governance.
When this happens in Kashmir it becomes human rights violation?
Bring back the news is correct, but not social media sites for now. The people are using them to meet and stage demonstrations. Citizens are already afraid and the streets are blocked. No reason to create more anarchy.