ISLAMABAD ( MEDIA REPORT )
Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) on Monday barred televangelist and talk show host Aamir Liaquat from hosting his Ramazan show ‘Inam Ghar’ for three days on Geo Entertainment, said a statement released by the regulatory authority.
The regulatory authority had issued a show cause notice after the June 6 episode, which showed a reenactment by the show’s host of a girl committing suicide, stated the Pemra statement.
The episode aired also had a guest who used abusive language while on air. Show cause notice was issued in June 14, added the statement.
During the June 25 transmission of the show, a female caller’s inappropriate phone call was also reviewed by the regulatory authority.
A member from Pemra’s Council of Complaints, also shared a video of Liaquat hugging a pole while singing a song.
Pemra said it had received hundreds of complaints from viewers, after which they took action. Representative from Geo Entertainment has sought 15 days to submit a detailed reply regarding the many complaints received during the show’s transmission.
The council has directed for a reply to be submitted by the third day after Eid holidays. After the submission of the reply, further action will be debated upon.
As an initial step, the Council of Compliants, due to Geo’s continued violation of the code of conduct, recommended suspension of the transmission of the show from June 28 to June 30, said the Pemra statement.
The channel has been advised to apologise for airing non-professional content which hurt the sentiments of the viewers, added the regulatory authority’s statement. Liaquat has also been asked to issue a personal apology during the July 1 transmission of his show.
“In case of contempt of the order or no apology, the show will suspended indefinitely,” stated Pemra in the statement.
“On the recommendations of the council, the relevant authority under Section 27 has advised Geo to suspend the transmission, and to ensure Amir Liaquat apologises in the beginning of July 1 transmission,” added the statement.