August 10, 2022 – An FIR has been registered in Karachi against ARY CEO Salman Iqbal, anchorperson Arshad Sharif, and Islamabad Bureau Chief Khawar Ghumman over “anti-state” remarks made by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Shahbaz Gill on ARY News.
Ammad Yousaf, the head of ARY News, was reportedly arrested from his residence Tuesday night and producer Adeel Raja has been booked as well.
The FIR cites a viral clip of Gill making “hateful comments” against the Pakistan Army on a programme aired on August 8. The complainant remarked that the PTI and ARY tried to create a rift within the armed forces by expressing hateful and divisive opinions.
The FIR has been filed under various sections of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), including Sections 121 (waging war against Pakistan), 505 (statements conducive to public mischief), 153 (provocation with the intent to cause riot), 153-A (promoting enmity between different groups), and 131 (abetting mutiny or attempting to seduce a soldier, sailor or airman from his duty).
Additionally, a report by ARY claims that Yousaf was arrested without a warrant from his residence located in Karachi’s DHA. “Police officers, along with plain-clothed persons, forcibly entered the house of Ammad Yousaf,” states the report. “The raiding team diverted the CCTV cameras of Yousaf’s house, and jumped into the house from the top of the main entrance.”
The digital video recorder (DVR) of the CCTV cameras installed at the property was also taken away by the raiding team, the report adds.
Yousaf’s arrest is being roundly condemned online.
The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) had issued a show-cause notice to ARY for what the regulator said were “hateful and seditious” remarks made by Gill. On Monday, ARY News was reportedly suspended on the orders of PEMRA in Islamabad, and parts of Sindh and Punjab. Gill was also arrested.
Later, PEMRA issued a statement directing TV channels to stop airing “propaganda, misinformation and disinformation” against state institutions.
