PEMRA asks TV One, Aaj News to apologise after controversial Ramazan transmission

Ban on Hamza Ali Abbassi would be lifted after airing the apology, says statement

The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) directed on Monday two private TV channels to air apologies for promoting controversial and sectarian views during their Ramazan transmissions.

The decision came during a meeting of the media regulator’s council of complaints held at Pemra’s regional office in Karachi under chairmanship of Professor Inam Bari.

33rd CoC PEMRA Sindh in progress pic.twitter.com/adavWTgDCS

— Report PEMRA (@reportpemra) June 20, 2016

“The council has directed the management of Aaj News and TV One to immediately telecast an apology for promoting controversial and sectarian views,” a statement said.

“Both TV One and Aaj TV have assured the council of complaints that they will air apologies at the earliest."

پیمرا شکایات کونسل سندھ کا آج ٹی وی اور ٹی وی ون کو فوراً معافی نشر کرنے کا حکم pic.twitter.com/sN7EkH3iZd

— Report PEMRA (@reportpemra) June 20, 2016

On Friday Pemra had imposed a ban on the Ramazan transmission of TV One and Aaj News over violation of the media regulator’s code of conduct.

“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.



The communiqué said the ban on Hamza, Shabbir and religious cleric Kokab Noorani Okarvi would be lifted after airing the apology and they would then be able to appear on TV.

It all began with Hamza questioning the oppression of Ahmadis during one of his programmes.


“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).”