Here's how Twitter reacted to PEMRA's ban on Hamza Ali Abbasi

Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) surprised the Pakistani audience yesterday by banning actor Hamza Ali Abbasi's Ramazan transmission. The ban was imposed over violation of the media regulator’s code of conduct as Pemra found Hamza guilty of "promoting controversial and sectarian views.”



It all started when Hamza spoke against the oppression of Ahmedis on his show Ishq-e-Ramazan. As expected, his comments irked hardline religious personalities; one of whom -- Maulana Kokab Noorani -- harshly criticised Hamza on another Ramazan transmission aired on TV One.

This was followed by complaints against both the TV channels which finally led to a ban on not just TV One's Ramazan transmission but also on Hamza from hosting his Ramazan show.

Naturally, Twitter was abuzz, with most unhappy about Pemra's decision to punish Hamza for demanding equal rights for the minorities.

Some thought Pemra was unfair

By banning both Hamza Ali Abbasi & Shabbir Abu Talib PEMRA may think its being fair. One questioned why we kill & the other incited to kill

— M. Jibran Nasir 🇵🇸 (@MJibranNasir) June 17, 2016

Others were not surprised

https://twitter.com/ijattala/status/743863521864146946

Many found it hard to believe

A genuine question on preserving the sanctity of human life raised by #HamzaAliAbbasi has triggered incitement of his death by mullahs.

— Mana Q (@ZEEQUEUE) June 18, 2016

Dear PEMRA, you meant Aamir Liaqat when you declared a ban on Hamza Ali Abbasi from Ramadan Transmission right?! #PleaseFixTheTypo

— Saadi (@saadimakhdoom) June 17, 2016

Pemra style bans - Wag finger at victim and remind them: All your fault! You have brought great discomfort to your attackers and us. Banned!

— Nadeem Farooq Paracha (@NadeemfParacha) June 17, 2016

PEMRA bans Hamza Abbasi from hosting Ramazan transmission, yet allow air time to lunatics and jokers through the holy month.

— Khabeesi (@nom_malik) June 17, 2016

There were some who tried to make sense of it

Might not agree with PEMRA on many things but one has to understand that they might have just saved Hamza Abbasi's life by banning him.

— Maham Ali (@Mahamali05) June 17, 2016

In the end, most were disappointed

So just to be clear, crime of Hamza Ali Abbasi was to ask Mullahs in his show: "Can a gov decide on one's faith against ones wishes?" #PEMRA

— Bilal Mahmood (@bilalmahmooduk) June 17, 2016

https://twitter.com/anthonypermal/status/743807950242910209
https://twitter.com/ArmedWithWords/status/743864696265183236

Instead of charging Mullah under anti terror law for instigating murder, #PEMRA sharif banned #HamzaAliAbbasi .
Anna insaaf

— Salman Sikandar (@SALSIKandar) June 17, 2016

https://twitter.com/aurAdil/status/743823895623569409

Why @pemrapakistan has to ban this and not the most ghatiya and kharafati show by #AamirLiaquat. Shame on u Pemra https://t.co/dqeh0enOpe

— Zainwain (@zainwain) June 18, 2016

Ban HateSpeech #PEMRA nt FreeSpeech Yor a regulator, use yr discretion @omar_quraishi @ReemaAbbasi @sarataseer @reportpemra @pemrapakistan

— Shaan Taseer (@ShaanTaseer) June 17, 2016

https://twitter.com/Mariiam_Rizvi/status/743867070316683264
https://twitter.com/therealsnorky/status/743825876740104192

What are your thoughts?

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