22 November 2016

11 Christian Television Stations Shut Down in Pakistan; 6 Operators Arrested

Eleven Christian television stations were recently shut down by authorities in Pakistan, shocking Christians in the Muslim-majority country where they remain religious minorities.

According to a report by UCANews, the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) sent notices to all regional general managers late last month asking them to "stop transmitting 11 illegal TV channels immediately."

The government body, which regulates television content in Pakistan, prohibits the airing of Christian programmes and others relating to religion, except occasional messages for Christmas and Easter.

The PEMRA decided to launch a major crackdown this month on Christian stations, most of which have been operating in the Muslim-majority nation for more than two and a half decades now.

As a result of this crackdown, six people were arrested when government agents raided cable TV operators broadcasting Indian Christian channels. [Christian Today] Read more