Pakistan

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

News Desk June 20, 2016

Actor Hamza Ali Abbasi (L) poses for a photo during his Ramazan transmission. SCREEN GRAB

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

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

“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.

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

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).”

COMMENTS (10)

Adil | 7 years ago | Reply PEMRA is scared of fanatics targetting the PEMRA executive team so they need to fan the information about there so called displeasure. PEMRA is just scared.

Babar | 7 years ago | Reply The Pakistani constitutions will always remain a mirror for those who want to see. The constitution of this country openly supports a crime against humanity, plays God and dictates how people shall be classified. No wonder no one is safe in Pakistan because of God's wrath upon this country.

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actor | 7 years ago | Reply Actor cum Anchors should not be allowed to play the role of religious scholar.

Hameed | 7 years ago | Reply Pakistan is North Korea by another name. Gradually we have sleep walked into that stage.

Ahmad Duuarni | 7 years ago | Reply Hamza Ali Abbasi is deliberately wants to rekindle Qadiani issue and replay the the 1953 and 1974 events in 2016. Since 1974 there have has been increased weaponization and extremism and any violence will be directed at Qadianis. People are being manipulated to create another crisis in the country to defame Islam, Muslims and Pakistan.

Imran Ahsan Mirza | 7 years ago | Reply Interestingly it is labeled secterian issue thus considering Ahmadis a sect not non-Muslims. PEMRA is gradually adopting communist policies of state control of media. In this day and age of knowledge and wisdom where information is abundantly available irrational decisions cannot last long.

Ali S | 7 years ago | Reply Pemra is run by CII mullahs in coat suits. I hope Hamza Ali Abbasi quits the show in protest rather than agree to a censored, watered-down version of it - my respect for him has grown after his stand on this issue.

Tariq Saeed Butt | 7 years ago | Reply I think PEMRA also need to apologize to all the minorities for insulting them and infringing there basic rights. What a shame, the government itself is creating hatred by disallowing free speech and allowing maulvis who threatened life of individuals. They should be hanged along with those hate mongers if any one is hurt. Religion belongs to God and no man has the authority over any religions. Ask them to show the seal!

Hameed | 7 years ago | Reply A person who has incited to murder can just apologises and come back on TV while a person who has talked about human rights has to apologise for that and never mention them again? What sort of a decision is that? What planet is this?

silander | 7 years ago | Reply PEMRA is controversial! Do as they may (including mulvis), but the reality will always strike you in the face....can't hide from a crime against humanity which is part of the Pakistani constitution!

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