Pemra issues another notice to Bol

The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) on Tuesday issued another show cause notice to Bol News for usage of “inflammatory, indecent and irresponsible” language.

Pemra, in its notification, said that Bol’s anchor Aamir Liaquat in his programme which aired on January 26, 2017, used such derogatory words “which could not be repeated here”.

The notification added that usage of such a language is “a violation” of several clauses and rules of the Pemra Ordinance and its code of conduct.

The regulatory body directed the chief executive officer of the channel to submit a response by Febuary 7, 2017.

If the channel fails to defend itself, Pemra has the “powers to suspend the programme under section 27 of Pemra rules, impose a fine of up to one million rupees under section 29, suspend the license of the channel under section 30 or cancel the license of the channel under section 30”.

Last week, Pemra had banned Amir Liaquat’s programme on Bol News after he levelled allegations of blasphemy against civil society activists and bloggers.

A day later, Pemra issued another show cause notice to Bol News for flouting a ban on television personality Aamir Liaquat as the channel had opted to defy the ban.

The authority also issued a show cause notice to Bol News on Monday over the contents of a programme conducted by Dr Shahid Masood.

SC set aside contempt notices against Pemra chairma

Another Pemra release claimed that the Supreme Court of Pakistan on Tuesday set aside all the contempt notices to Chairman Pemra issued by the Sindh High Court and issued notices to the channel to appear before the apex court on Monday, Feb 6, 2017.

The release added that the orders were issued in an appeal filed by Pemra against an order of SHC which had granted a stay order against Pemra’s order of prohibiting Aamir Liaquat as a host and his programme “Aisa Nahi Chalay Ga” from airing until a decision by the Councils of Complaints.

Pemra is determinant to face legal battle

Meanwhile, Pemra Chairman Absar Aalam chaired the 124th meeting of the authority and reiterated his determination to face legal challenges, being faced by Pemra, said a separate release.

The chairman also informed the meeting’s attendees on the ban against Aamir Liaquat and his show on Bol News.

(Courtesy by Dawn)