PEMRA banned Hamza Ali Abbasi ramzan programme
18 June, 2016
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) has imposed a ban on the Ramazan transmission of two private TV channels over violation of code of conduct by ‘promoting controversial and sectarian views’.
“An immediate ban has been imposed on TV One’s programme Ishq-e-Ramazan (hosted by Shabbir Abu Talib) and Aaj News programme Ramazan Hamara Iman (hosted by Hamza Ali Abbasi),” a statement issued by the regulator said on Friday. The media regulator directed both TV channels to immediately stop airing the said programmes, failing which will end up in the removal of their transmissions on cable. It all began with actor and social activist Hamza Ali Abbasi questioning the oppression of Ahmadis during one of his programmes on Aaj TV. “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 religious circles.
The notice warned that in case any of the said hosts talk about controversial subjects in any programme of other channels, those programmes will also be banned immediately. The regulator has, however, allowed the said TV channels to continue their Ramazan transmissions with new hosts until Pemra’s council of complaints announces its decision in the matter.
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