Pakistani minister denies silencing media

Pakistan’s information minister Nisar Memon has denied claims that the government is trying to stifle the media before elections next month by ordering TV channels to stop covering live political debates.

The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists accused the government of “an attempt to silence the free media” after the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority issued a letter to “all satellite TV channels”, saying some were still airing live coverage and taking live telephone calls which “contain baseless propaganda against Pakistan and incite people to violence”.

But Mr Memon said: “Every one of us in Pakistan should share the responsibility and work for betterment of the country by keeping the environment conducive for the polls.”