The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has issued a notice to all television channels prohibiting them from inviting Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) senator Hafiz Hamdullah in TV programmes.
PEMRA has barred TV channels from inviting and projecting the senator as he is a ‘confirmed Alien’ as per the records of the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) and is not a citizen of Pakistan.
In the order given to TV channels, it is stated, “Since, it is established that the said person is an ‘alien’, therefore, all the TV channels (News and Current Affairs) are directed to refrain from inviting and projecting Mr. Hafiz Hamdullah Saboor in their programmes/talks shows, news etc.”
It is alleged that Senator Hamdullah possesses the nationality of Afghanistan. In light of Hamdullah's possession of Afghanistan’s nationality, NADRA has cancelled and digitally impounded the CNIC issued to the senator.
The JUI-F senator has been critical of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government in his appearances on talk shows. Recently, he had been been vocal about the JUI-F's planned Azadi March, which is to begin tomorrow.