*ISLAMABAD – The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority hasrequested television channels to seek “prior clearance from ISPR” beforeinviting retired military officers as defence analysts in news and currentaffairs programmes.*
In a notification issued on April 4, Pemra stated “it has been seriouslyobserved by concerned quarters” that retired military officers “are usuallynot fully conversant/abreast with the latest Defence and Securitydevelopments due to their service background and post retirement time.”
The move appears to be an attempt by Pemra to bar retired militaryofficials from engaging in political debates on TV shows.
The electronic media regulator directed the channels to identify retiredmilitary officials as just an “analyst” and not as a defence analyst ifthey are invited on talk shows for discussion other than security matters.
Read Top Stories
“The discussion mostly switches from security matters to politics whichinadvertently embroils military officers into political debate which isfelt undesirable,” the notification read.
“Strict compliance is desired by all the News and Current Affairs TVChannel licensees,” it added.
