Dubai: Reacting to worldwide criticism to the closure of the two Pakistani news channels here, UAE authorities today said neutrality has been a key feature of the country's foreign policy.

Commenting on the closure of GEO and ARY TV, which were broadcasting from Dubai, director general of National Media Council said Ibrahim Al-Abed said "the UAE has been an advocate of international law and an active contributor to peace and stability in the region".

UAE has always played a positive and constructive role in international affairs and neutrality has been a key feature of our foreign policy, he said. "In the light of the current sensitive state of affairs in Pakistan, the UAE can only assume its responsibility and maintain its neutrality," he was quoted as saying by Emirates news agency.

Al-Abed reiterated that the closure of the two TV channels was coherent with the foreign policy of the UAE.
Executive Director of Dubai Media City Amina Al Rustamani said Dubai Media City would observe the "broadcast principles of the country's foreign policy and prevent the telecast of news and material that would undermine those principles".

Source : PTI