Pemra fines channel for defaming NAB chief

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra)'s council of complaints, Islamabad, on Friday imposed a fine of Rs500,000 (Rs0.5m) on Channel 92 for airing  baseless and contrary to facts analysis on its show ‘Mukabil’ against the NAB chairman.

The council, under its chairperson Shamim Humayun, deliberated upon the matter, after the NAB’s deputy chairman filed an application against this show for insulting the head of a federal entity and trying to hurt his integrity. The show had focussed on NAB chairman. Amir Mateen and Rauf Kalasra had conducted the programme on June 13, 2016.  They had alleged that the NAB chairman was drawing pension from the military for the last several years after presenting a fake document. The council was satisfied by presenting related documents by the NAB chairman to prove that drawing the pension was his right, and it was as per the rules and regulations.

On the other hand, the channel failed to convince the forum about the analysis. The council recommended  Rs500,000 fine and asked the channel to air apology in this connection, failing which, it recommended considering revoking or suspension of the channel’s license.