Pemra serves notices to 17 TV channels over 'false' news of PM meeting NAB chairman

E-Paper | December 07, 2025

The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) on Friday issued show-cause notices to 17 TV channels for airing "false" news reports regarding Prime Minister Imran Khan's meeting with National Accountability Bureau (NAB) chairman Javed Iqbal.

The 17 TV channels, including Geo News, Dunya News, Aaj News, Express News, Neo News, 24 News, Bol News, 7 News, Metro One, Hum News, ARY News, Samaa, Public News, 92 News, GNN, Channel 5 and K-21 News, had all reported that the prime minister today met the chairman of the accountability watchdog, according to a press release issued by Pemra.

However, when contacted, a spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office had told DawnNewsTV that there was "no truth in the reports of a meeting of Prime Minister Imran Khan and the NAB chairman".

The spokesman had urged the media to verify any news about the premier with the PM Office spokesperson before airing it.

Pemra in its notice has reminded media outlets that airing "false news" is a violation of Pemra laws, including the Electronic Media (Programmes and Advertisements) Code of Conduct 2015.

The authority said it has repeatedly warned TV channels against airing fake and unfounded news, while some channels have even been fined over violations in the past. News channels are bound to verify every news item before airing it.

"However, it has been observed that news channels in the race to be ahead broadcast breaking news being aired by any other news channel without verification," the Pemra statement said.

It reminded TV channels that they are required to deploy time-delay mechanism and set up 'institutional supervisory committees' to prevent the airing of any "concocted, false and baseless" news reports.

The authority has asked the 17 channels to respond to the show-causes within seven days. If they fail to do so, Pemra said it would take ex-parte action against the media outlets.

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Waqar Khan

Dec 07, 2018 11:31pm

Yup subdue the media in the name of democracy... like seriously what about all the false advertisements... done by so many companies in Pakistan especially the real estate moguls.

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Irfan

Dec 07, 2018 11:36pm

Very good

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M. Mushtaq Ahmed

Dec 07, 2018 11:49pm

Fake new darama?

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Anti-Corruption_Pakistani

Dec 07, 2018 11:53pm

Take stringent action against all culprits of 'incorrect' news without verifying and, I strongly suggest, fine heavely all 17 news channels and transfer that money into Bhasha Dam fund account. Set an example for irresponsible reporting and causing confusion!

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bhaRAT©

Dec 08, 2018 12:06am

The one and only media cell at work.

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bhaRAT©

Dec 08, 2018 12:18am

DawnNews maintains its credibility, not in the list of 17 culprits. They should be punished heavily for repeat offense!

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Adi

Dec 08, 2018 12:19am

Imran himself believes in speaking about unconfirmed news !

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fairplay

Dec 08, 2018 12:40am

fine them all heavily and ask for the heads to quit, or face criminal actions.If this is what a free press means, shut them down. they all.know better.

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fairplay

Dec 08, 2018 12:40am

@Waqar Khan , media spreading fake news, yes.

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Norozkhan

Dec 08, 2018 12:46am

Pemra) should take strict action against 17 TV channels for airing "false" news reports regarding Prime Minister Imran Khan's meeting with N.A.B chairman Javed Iqbal.. All 17 channels should be penalized in the amount of 50 Crore rupees each or their operating license to be cancelled immediately.

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Adeel

Dec 08, 2018 12:57am

The media keeps the parlimentarians and others in high power positions in check. But who is keeping the media in check? We need a private regulatory body for electronic media. Journalists can blackmail anyone, sometimes for corruption and at other times over personal matters. Needs change

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Dec 08, 2018 01:11am

Who are these two people then.

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WayToGo

Dec 08, 2018 01:19am

Our PM reminds me of Trump..... similarity i hope Not!!!!!

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Karachitee

Dec 08, 2018 01:28am

Someone should tell American President that if he really wants to see real fake news channel please watch Pakistani news channel. Back to Back propagating fake news without apologizing. What's the credibility left for these news channels. I am glad that Dawn news channel name is not in the list. Good work Dawn.

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ASSAD

Dec 08, 2018 01:37am

@Waqar Khan , pemra or ispr

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Patriotic 786

Dec 08, 2018 01:38am

File photo above clearly shows PM Imran Khan meeting NAB Chairman in his office. The caption says the meeting was held in August. Now, is this photo-shopped photo? If not, then what is the truth?

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Lahori kid

Dec 08, 2018 02:06am

@Waqar Khan , Advertising and reporting facts by the media are two different worlds. And no, no one is limiting the media from reporting, but the government does want to stop the poisoning by misleading the public, please get over your ignorance.

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Truth Sayer

Dec 08, 2018 03:22am

Excellent work.. Our media runs fake n bogus news all the time.. Nuthin like this happens any where around the world.. Its time PEMRA take serious actions against these channels n shut them if need be..

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Raheel

Dec 08, 2018 03:29am

Fake news is evil..kudos to authorities for taking action

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Bilal aus

Dec 08, 2018 03:52am

When will they be banned it’s unacceptable

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Omar

Dec 08, 2018 04:22am

@Adeel, they are blackmailing the current govt. because nawaz used to spend billions on these channels from govt treasury .

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enam

Dec 08, 2018 05:16am

PK media is too much

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Shah

Dec 08, 2018 05:22am

Fake Media at work Dont watch them watch instead entertainment channels.

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Gullu Badsha

Dec 08, 2018 06:04am

@Waqar Khan, Democracy was threatened every now & then during the tenure of the PML(N) government. This has nothing to do with Democracy. These are laws for the electronic media to follow. We have a right to get the right/correct news. PEMRA should set good examples by serving notices to the electronic media for airing false news of the opposition as well.

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Nadeem

Dec 08, 2018 06:19am

Please don't harass the media; backdoor meetings can't be hidden!

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Syed Ali

Dec 08, 2018 07:50am

Dictatorship by all institutions?

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Syed

Dec 08, 2018 07:51am

Then what?

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Saif Zulfiqar

Dec 08, 2018 08:08am

Whoever spread false news should be penalised as per laws.

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from Karachi

Dec 08, 2018 08:25am

Media has a great responsilbity to keep a balance between fake news and senstation.

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Danish

Dec 08, 2018 08:35am

All media channel must be closed permanently for irsesponsible propaganda against IK and chairman NAB. It looks like Nawaz Sharif and Zardari funding those channel against Gov. . Soon Fawad Chaudhry will highlight the matter and will point out PMLN PPP are behind the fake news.

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haris

Dec 08, 2018 06:45pm

@Syed Ali, US is dictatorship?

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Acro

Dec 08, 2018 07:19pm

@Waqar Khan , what does this have to do with democracy?

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