The decision was taking during a meeting chaired by Pemra chairman Saleem Baig. The authority had earlier revoked licenses for the sister channels on failure to obtain security clearance from the interior ministry earlier in 2017.
The directive was consequently challenged before the Sindh High Court (SHC). The sister channels had continued broadcasting till the court had delivered its verdict in 2021.
The interior ministry rescinded the security clearance of ARY News earlier in August, according to reports.
Journalist Syed Talat Hussain, who was the first to break the news, premised this claim on a letter authored by the interior ministry which stated that clearance stood withdrawn following negative reports by intelligence agencies. “The NoC issued in favour of M/S Ary Communications (Pvt) Limited (ARY News) is cancelled with immediate effect and until further orders on the basis of adverse reports from agencies.”