11 Christian Television Stations Shut Down in Pakistan; 6 Operators Arrested

Eleven Christian television stations were recently shut down by authorities in Pakistan, shocking Christians in the Muslim-majority country where they remain religious minorities.

According to a report by UCANews, the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) sent notices to all regional general managers late last month asking them to "stop transmitting 11 illegal TV channels immediately."

The government body, which regulates television content in Pakistan, prohibits the airing of Christian programmes and others relating to religion, except occasional messages for Christmas and Easter.

The PEMRA decided to launch a major crackdown this month on Christian stations, most of which have been operating in the Muslim-majority nation for more than two and a half decades now.

As a result of this crackdown, six people were arrested when government agents raided cable TV operators broadcasting Indian Christian channels.

Staffers of the closed television stations have also been rendered jobless.

Among those that have been banned were Isaac TV, Pakistan's oldest Christian satellite broadcaster, and Catholic TV, a station ran by the archdiocese in Lahore, the second biggest city in the nation.

Father Morris Jalal, founder and executive director of Catholic TV, expressed concern about the shutdown of Christian television networks in Pakistan, saying it will affect the growth of the church in the area.

He also maintained that Christians still have the right to practice their religion in Pakistan, despite the fact that they are minorities.

"What is the future of church media in Pakistan? It is a very difficult time for us. We were just trying to reach our own community who are generally ignored by other TV channels," Jalal told UCANews.

It is also worth noting that while Christian broadcasting stations are being shut down, Islamic networks — even those promoting war — still continue to air in Pakistan. For instance, the station "Peace TV" is still on air, despite accusations that it is promoting jihad.