Eleven Christian TV stations have been declared illegal by the Pakistani Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA).

The watchdog further accused the stations of not having permission to broadcast, leaving Pakistani Christians with no public media presence for the first time in nearly two decades.

In response to PEMRA’s decision Catholic TV founder Fr. Morris Jalal called on people to protest against the move.

He said the blocking of Christians’ right to practice their faith sends out the message that not all citizens in Pakistan are equal.

Other local Christians have called on the Pakistani government to revoke the ban.