PBA satisfied with revocation of Bol’s license

Association ‘shocked’ at use of ill-gotten to finance and launch channel

KARACHI: The Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA) has welcomed the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority’s (Pemra) move to revoke the license of Bol News.

“PBA on behalf of all electronic media industry of Pakistan, expresses satisfaction over the step finally taken by Pemra to revoke the licenses being held by individuals who supervised fraud and extortion on an international scale,” read a statement issued by the association on Wednesday.

“Three years ago, New York Times exposed that Axact and its owners raked in millions of dollars by running a fake diploma mill. This is same money was used to finance and launch the TV channel Bol,” it stated.

“PBA was shocked at the revelation that proceeds of crime were being used to launch and finance media channels to buy influence and blackmail anyone who threatens to expose this criminal scam. Hence, PBA decided to get involved to protect the integrity and sanctity of the media Industry … [and] moved the Islamabad High Court for revocation of licenses of Axact backed channels.”



The statement added that PBA had also raised many important questions through a published ad and had asked the courts, government and Pemra to investigate the sources of funds of Axact’s channels.

“Axact Channels have been airing for more than six months. They have admitted on air that they are not accepting any advertising due to ‘patriotism’, but where are their expenses being paid from?” PBA asked.

It said “Bol backed by Axact was also the biggest proponent of hate speech and intolerance and a threat to free and independent media in Pakistan and has been condemned by Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, PBA, APNS, CPNE and others. PEMRA itself declared Bol as carrying hate speech again and again.”