Eleven Christian television stations in Pakistan have been declared illegal in the latest crackdown on Christians in the predominantly Muslim nation.
The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority, a government body, has shut down Christian stations broadcasting in Urdu in an order issed at the end of September.
Ten of the channels are Protestant Christian television stations, and include Isaac TV, Gawahi TV, God Bless TV, Barkat TV, Praise TV, Zindagi TV, Shine TV, Jesus TV, Healing TV and Khushkhabari TV. They had been allowed to broadcast for 17 years.
The authorities have also banned Catholic TV, the diocesan channel in Lahore. "All the Regional Directors General are invited to take the necessary steps to immediately stop the illegal transmission of TV channels in their respective regions," the legal order stipulates.
Father Mushtaq Anjum, a Pakistan monk and priest who specialises in communications and the media, told Agenzia Fides: "The proclamation of the Good News is considered illegal.
"For some years now, with great efforts, Christian communities have organised television networks, cable or web, to talk to Christians and to speak of the Christian faith. Christians have no place in public television channels. We want to understand why they are called illegal. This is another discriminatory law that affects non-Muslims."
Father Anjam said the order was a serious attack on the freedom to practise a religion as well as on the vision of Pakistan founder, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, who imagined a free as opposed to an Islamic society.
He described the bans as "intimidation".
This video is from the YouTube channel of one of the banned stations, Isaac TV.
Catholic TV founder Father Morris Jalal said: "As citizens, Christians have the right to practise their religion, but if they block you, it means not all citizens are equal," according to the Express. He called for people in the West to protest against the bans.
Catholic TV founder Father Morris Jalal said: "As citizens, Christians have the right to practise their religion, but if they block you, it means not all citizens are equal," according to the Express. He called for people in the West to protest against the bans.
