Pakistan orders TV channels to go off air amid crackdown on Islamist protest

Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has ordered private television channels of the country to go off air on Saturday during a police and paramilitary crackdown on Islamist protesters.

The suspension was ordered for violating media regulations showing live coverage of a security operation in the capital, a statement from the regulator said.

State-run Pakistan Television continued to broadcast, but aired a talk show discussing politics, reports Reuters.

Pakistani police used tear gas and water cannon and fought running battles with stone-throwing Islamist activists, as they moved to clear a protest by the religious hard-liners who have blocked main routes into Islamabad for more than two weeks.