Pakistan

Following threats, PEMRA puts a lid on Hamza Ali Abbasi's Ramazan transmission

Move comes after the actor announced he would discuss rights of Ahmadi community in his last show

News Desk June 17, 2016

Actor and social activist Hamza Ali Abbasi had questioned the oppression of Ahmadis. PHOTO: FACEBOOK

The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) has imposed a ban on the Ramazan transmission of two private TV channels over violation of the media regulator’s code of conduct by "promoting controversial and sectarian views".

“An immediate ban has been imposed on TV One’s programme Isq-e-Ramazan (hosted by Shabbir Abu Talib) and Aaj News programme Ramazan Hamara Iman (hosted by Hamza Ali Abbasi),” a statement said on Friday.

پیمرا نے حمزہ علی عباسی، شبیر ابو طالب اور کوکب نورانی کو متنازعہ بات کرنے سے روک دیا pic.twitter.com/Zh8pff1JdR
— Report PEMRA (@reportpemra) June 17, 2016

The media regulator directed both TV channels to immediately stop airing the said programmes, failing of which will end up in the removal of their transmissions on cable.

It all began with actor and social activist Hamza Ali Abbasi questioning the oppression of Ahmadis during one of his programmes on Aaj TV.

“The community is being suppressed but if you talk about it, people say ‘You’re from that community that’s why you’re saying this,'” said Hamza. “I am not an Ahmadi, I am a Sunni Muslim.”

This triggered a harsh response from a religious cleric who allegedly threatened Hamza of 'dire consequences' in another TV show on TV One.

Soon after the notification was issued, the actor took to social media and said: “There is a divine pleasure in suffering in the way of Allah (SWT) and his beloved Prophet & Messenger Muhammad (SAW).”

The notice further warned that in case any of the said hosts [Hamza Ali Abbasi & Shabbir Abu Talib] talk about controversial subjects in any programme of other channels, those programmes will also be banned immediately.

Decision on June 20

“Pemra has forwarded this case to its council of complaints in Karachi, which will announce its decision on June 20 after listening to all the parties concerned, who have already been issued notices,” the statement said.

The media regulator has, however, allowed the said TV channels to continue their Ramazan transmissions with new hosts until Pemra’s council of complaints announces its decision in the matter.

COMMENTS (57)

Reality | 7 years ago | Reply Being a citizen of Islamic Republic of Pakistan, my demands on behalf of this report are as follows: 1 – When was PEMRA formed? 1 (a) – Who does PEMRA reports to ? 1 (a) (i) – Who selects the PEMRA human resource ? 1 (a) (i-i) – Who are in PEMRA decision making body ? 1 (a) (i-ii) – What are their criteria of selecting PEMRA decision making body ? 2 – What is the mission and vision of PEMRA ? 2 (a) – What are their code of conduct ? 2 (a) (i) – What principles do they follow, if they do, for their job ? 2 (a) (i-i) – Who regulates them, for their irregularities ? 2 (a) (i-ii) – Who tells them what to do and what not to ? ################ To be Continued

Syed Saif | 7 years ago | Reply I really apreciate pemra for timely action against real culprit Hamza.

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Sara | 7 years ago | Reply Respect for Hamza ali abbasi

Hasan | 7 years ago | Reply @NDA Amazed at ur reply and perception about serious issues in life. Not everyone cares about ratings. Civilised people solve problems by lifting the veil of jahalat (ignorance) and Zulm (cruelty) through dialog.

NDA | 7 years ago | Reply @Khan: @Fahad: @bigsaf: Pakistan has no problem with minorities and vice versa. Issues of relationships between various socio-cultural groups is part of communal living. It is State's responsibility to strike a right balance between freedom and responsibility. Pemra / State was right in constraining Hamza and stopping him from unnecessary controversy. He is a showman and there is strong possibility he was influenced from somewhere to take this sensitive issues in the month of Ramadhan. Half of his purpose is attained- publicity and rating- but at the cost of overwhelmingly large majority of peaceful Muslims . This is hypocrisy.

syed & syed | 7 years ago | Reply PEMRA should ban talk shows. These actors create more trouble then good because they have no vision

leela4fun | 7 years ago | Reply When you bury your head deeper in the sand, you can see nothing but sand!

Fahad | 7 years ago | Reply Who says Zia's era has ended ! , it still continues. Pakistanis need to adobt and coexist otherwise things look to bleek.

Fahad | 7 years ago | Reply @Najeeb Shah: He was not asking about weather they are Muslims or not , he was asking about the fact that they are being oppressed and being killed. Isnt that something to ask ? They were part of the creation of Pakistan , they are our minority , rights of minorities should be safe guarded also.

Pakistan | 7 years ago | Reply @Malik Saab: It has become fashionable for our psuedo characters like this man to act foolishly and create social problems. Hamza is not that stupid to appreciate the prevailing tensions, political and other. So his this stupidity is either sponsored by enemies abroad or within. Evil has spread so much that now I feel he is desecrating the name Hamza.

Toti calling | 7 years ago | Reply @Malik Saab: Well said. I agree with your conclusions.

UMME KULSOOM | 7 years ago | Reply Dear Islamabad Tribune We the Muslims of Pakistan are strong enough to bear the hue and cry of Ramzan Transmission anchored by ladies like Sadia IMam and Maya Khan where men like Qutub sitting on a chair watching them as a tamasha... there is no empirical school of thought and calmness in a program that louds on Air at high transmission timings. This is the time when rozadar audiences wait for a serene yet thought provoking voice from Community. The PPEMRA should know that when a women can scream than some one can also voice about those who are not heard . Please take actions and not reaction. REGARDS

Hasan | 7 years ago | Reply Hamza Ali Abbasi's crime is clear. We are becoming a jahil (illeterate), ignorant and fundamentalist people, breeding intolerant thoughts, thanks to religious inbreeding of Zia Ul Haq regime whose seeds were sown in a free thinking Pakistan in the 1980's. There is no place in Pakistan anymore for humane, intellectual, open minded people who can live peacefully & non-violently like the rest of the civilised world lives. Agree with one of the comments above, our beloved country Pakistan has been stripped of the basic values of humanity & dignity by our corrupt plundering "leaders" and their stooge institutions like pemra - and sad will be the day when actions will be taken by the free world against rogue governments that suppress or victimize their people because of their out-dated beliefs.

Mirza Asif Baig | 7 years ago | Reply We all know Kokab Norani Sahab, is a very Polite man. It is clear Pemera is over regulating.

Jawad U Rahman | 7 years ago | Reply It's ironic that the guy who incited the murder of Ahmadis in his program, continues to operate without issues, and the guy who raised a voice for the rights of minorities including Ahmadis is forced into silence.

ZN | 7 years ago | Reply PEMRA, needs to be clear about its role. This is disgusting and pathetic approach. Why ban him if he wants to discuss about the rights of minorities. He his asking valid questions.

Hypocrisy | 7 years ago | Reply @Najeeb Shah: Then don't squeak when trump and america says and does same to you..accusing you of being radicals who should be kept out of liberal western society. Don't cry foul and preach non muslims then, when you are epitome of intolerance.

Shaukat ali | 7 years ago | Reply The bitter truth is that Arabs in Israel have more rights and protection than religious minorities in Pakistan. We have become the most intolerant ruthless nation in the world and as evident by comments here, we are also proud of it.

sabi | 7 years ago | Reply Its a matter of shame that top leadership, both civil and military , is blind not to see criminals under their nose.

sabi | 7 years ago | Reply @Najeeb Shah: Don't be happy one day it will be you and there will be no one to say even a word of sympathy. Hate has no boundaries.

Najeeb Shah | 7 years ago | Reply Ahmedis and qayadanis are non muslims Freedom of speech has no space here , this a legally settled matter , and was going against the constitution of pakistan any liberal reading this is free to debate with me

inaam | 7 years ago | Reply @London Banker: hahahahaha law

inaam | 7 years ago | Reply @Ahmed: please don't appreciate as no talk on social issues is becoming chronic for society and if ahmadis are wrong they should be wrong even after any discussion but we prove ourselves wrong by not discussing and banning

Dr. Boodhun | 7 years ago | Reply There is nothing as a controversial issue. Threatening to kill someone on LIVE TV is a dangerous move and the offender has to be arrested and stand trial. On the other hand asking questions in a civilized manner on pertinent issues is to be welcomed because it enlightens society. I think PEMRA has sent the wrong message by including the victim in the censure. Dr. Boodhun Canada.

inaam | 7 years ago | Reply its banned on voice of so called molvis not on response of the people what people wants is to discuss on actual. as a ground fact all Ahmadis are true lovers to Hadhrat Muhammad PBUH so molvis should leave talking lies

syed & syed | 7 years ago | Reply Why Ami Liaquat is spared. We must tolerate minorities. Beeting a Hindu or criticizing Ahamadis is not the answer. Duty lies with clerics and Tabligi Jamat and other Mullas to show correct face of Islam

Hameed | 7 years ago | Reply Now don't complain of India where people can at least speak.

numbersnumbers | 7 years ago | Reply Wonder what the reaction would be in Pakistan if THE WEST started to treat Muslims just like Pakistanis treat Ahmadis???!

aasim | 7 years ago | Reply Pemra took good step towards these so called molvi

hashim | 7 years ago | Reply Hamza got what he wants of course cheap publicity

Pardesi | 7 years ago | Reply We Muslims want our right every where and any where but we our selves deny the same rights to others. Unable to understand that in this Islamic Republic police is not taking action against the people who are threatening peaceful citizens.

Arsha | 7 years ago | Reply @NDA: So don't create a situation of conflict and let minorities continue to be victimized by oppressed - that surely does not qualify as conflict. Let's sit quiet till government decides to make a law becuase governments are so wise and omniscient. And of course government would definitely think up new laws even though noone is asking for that change in society. YAYYY UTOPIA!

Mohammed Abbasi | 7 years ago | Reply Strange? Why ban people from asking simple questions?

lala chakwalian | 7 years ago | Reply if someone talks about the rights of minorities of pakistan , what is the problem in discussing Ahmedy minority in any tv show ?

FuriousPakistani | 7 years ago | Reply Why haven't you mentioned that the religious scholar in question is Mr. Kokab Noorani sahab?

bigsaf | 7 years ago | Reply Your 'moderate' Pak majority, which loathes the minority so much that they can't even tolerate speaking about their plight or rights. Typical regressive institution and reflection of the nation.

Sid | 7 years ago | Reply Yet another truth suppressed.

Syed | 7 years ago | Reply What ignorance, Hamza did nothing wrong. If they are non muslim then so be it, why are they oppressed, abducted and killed? No man has the right to question someone's faith. You have to go in your grave and answer to your questions/deeds. What has the world come too. And after reading the comments I say we deserve to ruled by such idiots. Ignorance and lack of information has turned us into animals

NDA | 7 years ago | Reply This minorities issue is political. A lay person has not much knowlwdge and background on them. Better stay away and Pemra has done a good thing of keeping Hamza and other gentleman out of it. If need be , law should come into action but we must now allow any one create a situatin of conflcit in the country. Tere is certaily a campaign . Why all of a sudden minority conversions and marriages have become a topic for media attention both print and electroic.

shakir | 7 years ago | Reply In present situation controversial issues should be avoided, but on the other hand if educated people talk about on such issues in healthy way, then we should tolerate it, in this way we will start tolerate each other.

Toti calling | 7 years ago | Reply It is a mad mad world out there. Anybody asking the right questions are either hurt or go in hiding. That is a shame.

wiserneighbour | 7 years ago | Reply This is called maximum intolerance.Pakistan has list the rights to talk about other nations minorities.

BigFact | 7 years ago | Reply The whole nation is fed up of the display of weirdness and hypocrisy being aired in the name of Ramzan transmissions. We have actors, dancers instead of religious personalities in charge of religious shows. There is no remorse or repentence, the essence of Ramzan. Instead, you find these people doing all the forbidden stuff right after Ramzan ends, year after year. Not bearable.

Rainbow Eyed | 7 years ago | Reply Banning this program can't hide the truth.

sabi | 7 years ago | Reply Well done Hamza Ali Abasi you have earned our respect by staying against violent mullahs.

Shahbaz H. | 7 years ago | Reply Pemra is over regulating and clearly leaning towards the far right. So now it's a crime to speak for the oppressed! Cowards. Kudos to Hamza on speaking for the minority. Unless more people don't do so, this country will slide into being a theocracy of a very worst kind!

Waqas Ahmed | 7 years ago | Reply Dear PEMRA Why your role is not unbiased? Why you don't banned the so called Islamic scholar Amir Liaqat over real controversial program. Such a pity on your role.

Pakistani | 7 years ago | Reply Right decision, ban this cartoon

Babbarsher Khan | 7 years ago | Reply We are doomed at least for next 30 years!

Amir | 7 years ago | Reply Yes the government wants to appease the clerics who preach hatred and sectarianism, so no one can talk about sentiments of these sectarian outfits who are our strategic assets....

Acorn Guts | 7 years ago | Reply Why bother with bitter truth. Stick to mango eating contests and motorcycle giveaways.

Hameed | 7 years ago | Reply I don't get it. What has Hamza done which is illegal? However Kokab Norani's threat certainly appears questionable. Why is PEMRA treating both the same? Absar Alam, what is going on?

Unknown | 7 years ago | Reply The same PEMRA who banned someone for talking for minorities cannot ban Aamir liaqat as he is bigger than them

London Banker | 7 years ago | Reply Respect the law please. Thank you.

Khan | 7 years ago | Reply Silencing someone doesn't mean you've proven that person is wrong. All it shows is that you're scared of what he has to say. PEMRA may actually have helped Abassi by drawing attention to his words. After all, he won't just stay quiet, and he can still influence millions of Pakistanis even without this show.

Ahmed | 7 years ago | Reply Very good decision by pemra. Well appreciated.

Malik Saab | 7 years ago | Reply We as Pakistanis have a keen eye on Donald Trump and are vocal for his thoughts against us.But Donald Trump and every Non Muslim Far Right leader is right. This is the true face of Pakistan and Muslims in general. European Far right claim that Muslims are intolerant and they will not allow minorities to thrive. And look we are giving practical examples in this regard. Even do not allow someone to talk on some issue is uncalled and just running away from the reality and nothing else. Banning any discussion is basically like acknowledging that someone is sitting on the wrong footing and they are too worried that the truth will prevail.

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