PEMRA bars channels from covering Motorway rape case

(Karachi) The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has stopped all satellite TV channels and media outlets from coverage of motorway rape case.

A notification issued by PEMRA stated that airing of content related to the investigation of the case will diminish "the evidentiary worth of the material collected by the prosecution".

The media regulatory authority stated that the offence is related to sex hence media coverage concerning victim and her family will also be a cause of discomfort and disgrace for her.

PEMRA maintained that all news channels should refrain from airing any content related to the case on electronic, print and social media. It warned of strict legal action against those not complying as per PEMRA's ordinance.

On September 9, a woman was allegedly gang raped during a robbery bid in Gujjarpura along the recently inaugurated Lahore-Sialkot Motorway.

Police said the victim was travelling with her children in a car when the vehicle stalled due to lack of petrol. She called a relative and sent him her location on the Motorway. When the relative arrived at the location, he saw the victim driving the car towards them with broken window panes.

The woman told police that she was waiting for the family to arrive to pick her and the children when two armed assailants allegedly attacked her.

One suspect hit the car with clubs and the other held them hostage at gunpoint. The attackers then took her and the children to a nearby forested area where the victim claims they gang raped her. Later on, they robbed her of valuables and left her stranded.

Later, Punjab police arrested a key suspect identified as Shafqat in the incident. Shafqat is a friend of prime suspect Abid who is still at large.