ISLAMABAD: Liaquat recently came under fire on social media after he levelled charges of blasphemy against missing civil society activists and bloggers on his programme ‘Aisay Nahi Chalay Ga’ on Bol News.
Over the past few days, the television personality had been at war with other TV anchors and social media activists, and had even declared a large number of the above mentioned personalities as ‘non muslims’ and ‘Indian spies’.
The notification issued by PEMRA stated that it had banned Amir Liaquat from appearing in any kind of programme, promo, and advertisement on the channel adding that if the channel or the personality does not comply, the channel’s license would be suspended.
Nonetheless, the banned personality appeared on the same channel and the same programme on Thursday night and showed signs of defiance against the order by hurling abuses at the media watchdog.
This resulted in the channel being taken off air from various parts of the country, while uninterrupted broadcast continued in multiple areas.
A statement issued by PEMRA stated, “Bol News in blatant and deliberate violation of aforementioned prohibition orders not only televised the programme ‘Aisay Nahi Chalay Ga‘ but also allowed the host (Liaquat) to appear on Bol News at 22:45 on Jan 26, 2017.”
Pemra termed airing of the TV show as ‘willful defiance of the orders of the authority, which is a cognisable offence under Sections 29, 30, 33 and 34 of Pemra Ordinance 2002 as amended by the Pemra (Amendment) Act 2007.’
PEMRA has directed Bol News to submit an explanation within seven days, as to why an appropriate action may not be initiated against the channel for the above mentioned violation.
The notice further added that in case, the channel management fails to submit a reply within a period of seven days, the matter shall be proceeded ex-parte in according to Pemra rules and regulations.