Pemra asks TV channels not to invite JUI-F’s Hamdullah after Nadra declares him an ‘alien’ – Pakistan

Pakistan's Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) ordered all television channels in the country on Saturday to refrain from inviting Hafiz Hamdullah of Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) to its programs, saying that He is not a Pakistani citizen.

In a statement sent to all satellite television channels, Pemra said the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) had transmitted in a letter dated October 11 that "Senator Hafiz Hamdullah Saboor is & # 39; foreigner confirmed & # 39; since he is not a citizen of Pakistan. "

In addition, he said that Nadra "canceled and digitally confiscated the CNIC (national computerized identity card) issued" to Hamdullah.

"Since it is established that said person is a & # 39; foreigner & # 39 ;, therefore, all television channels (Current News and Affairs) are directed to refrain from inviting and projecting Mr. Hafiz Hamdullah Saboor in their talk shows / programs, news, etc. "said the authority in his letter.

Hafiz Hamdullah, who remained a Balochistan senator between March 2012 and March 2018, frequently makes appearances in political talk shows at night on several news channels.

The directive that prohibits his appearances on television occurs days before the JUI-F leads an anti-government protest march & # 39; Azaadi & # 39; of opposition parties.

On Friday, the first talks between a government negotiating committee and the Rehbar Committee of the joint opposition ended without much progress.

The head of JUI-F, Fazlur Rehman, had announced the decision of his party in June on the October march in an attempt to overthrow the government that, according to him, had come to power through "false" elections. According to him, the long march will start from Sindh on October 27 and will arrive in Islamabad on October 31. The march is being organized as the opposition believed that Prime Minister Imran Khan had failed to lead the government that had caused an unprecedented price increase and economy. crisis and that the PTI government had come to power through "rigging."