KARACHI: The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has banned Hamza Ali Abbasi and Shabbir Abu Talib from hosting Ramzan transmission on Aaj TV and News One respectively for violating code of conduct set up by the media watchdog.
“In spite of clear instructions from PEMRA, unfortunately, owners of TV channels, male and female anchors and participants of the programs over stepped all the limits, holding ill-timed discussion on unanimous decisions of the parliament,” said a statement issued by the PEMRA.
“Aaj News promram “Ramzan Hamara Iman" hosted by Hamza Ali Abbasi and TV One’s program "Ishq-e-Ramzan" have been banned with an immediate effect under section 27 of PEMRA Ordinance to prevent the situation from aggravating, the statement said.
The regulator asked both the TV channels to ensure implementation of PEMRA’s decision by June 17 warning that transmission of the channels would be suspended if they failed to comply.
The PEMRA further said TV channels would also risk inviting a ban on their shows if Hamza Ali Abbasi, Shabbir Abu Talib and Kokab Noorani Okarvi are invited and found discussing the same or any other similarly controversial topic.