Islamabad: Pakistan Electronic Media Regulation Authority (PEMRA) has issued fresh directives, warning all satellite TV channels of legal action for either running a propaganda campaign or spreading misinformation and disinformation against the state institutions.

According to PEMRA, a trend has been observed on satellite TV channels wherein some of their anchors and analysts are indulged in spreading misinformation and disinformation against the state institutions.

It said such trend on the TV channels tantamount to casting aspersions against state institutions and a planned propaganda campaign against them.

The PEMRA termed the airing of such content a violation of the directives already issued by it.

The media watchdog asked all satellite TV channel licensees to follow the principles laid down in the Constitution and ensure strict compliance to the relevant provisions of PEMRA laws. 

In the meantime, Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA) said that it has always supported the freedom of expression and freedom of the media, however, it condemns disinformation against the institutions.   

Islamabad: A court in the federal capital Wednesday granted a two-day physical remand of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) senior leader Shahbaz Gill, who was arrested on charges of alleged sedition and inciting the public against the state institutions.

In a sedition case, Gill was produced before the court today where the Islamabad Police sought his physical remand to recover the mobile phone and the device which he used to make statements. 

Judicial magistrate Omar Bashir reserved his verdict, after hearing the petition, before granting a two-day physical remand. 

The case hearing took place amid strict security arrangements. 

It is pertinent to mention here that Shahbaz Gill was arrested by Islamabad police on Tuesday over a case of incitement to rebellion registered against him in the Bani Gala police station. 

The FIR was registered under sections 34 (common intention), 109 (abetment), 120 (concealing design to commit offence punishable with imprisonment), 121 (waging war against state), 124-A (sedition), 131 (abetting mutiny, or attempt to seduce a soldier, sailor or airman from his duty), 153 (provoking to cause riot), 153-A (promoting enmity between different groups),  505 (statement conducing to public mischief),  and 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation) of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC). 

Besides other charges, clauses related to spreading anarchy and hatred were added to the FIR. 

Islamabad: Humid and hot weather is expected in most parts of the country during the next twelve hours.

However, rain-wind/thundershower is expected in Sindh, Balochistan, Potohar region, northeast and south Punjab, upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Kashmir.

Heavy falls are likely at isolated places in lower Sindh and South Balochistan during the period.

Temperature of some major cities recorded this morning: Islamabad twenty-seven degree centigrade, Lahore twenty-eight, Karachi thirty-one, Peshwar twenty-nine, Quetta thirteen, Gilgit twenty-two, Murree nineteen and Muzafarabad twenty-three degree centigrade. According to Met Office forecast for Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, partly cloudy weather with chances of rain-wind-thundershower is expected in Srinagar, Jammu, Pulwama, Anantnag, Shopian and Baramulla while partly cloudy with chances of rain, thundershower is expected in Leh.

Temperature recorded this morning:

Srinagar, Pulwama, Anantnag and Baramula nineteen degree centigrade, Leh twelve and Shopian eighteen degree centigrade.