Islamabad, Jun 18: Two Ramadan shows broadcast by private news channels in Pakistan were taken off air yesterday by regulators for discussing blasphemy laws. The channels, ‘Aaj News’ and ‘TV One’, were said by Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) to have violated its code of conduct by promoting sectarian views and disgracing the holy month of Ramadan.
“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 PEMRA statement said. The regulator ordered both channels to cease the programmes from today evening or face being shutdown. (ALSO READ: Ramadan 2016: This Pepsi ad with legendary Abida Praveen’s voice will light up your lives!)
In his show earlier this week, actor and activist Hamza Ali Abbasi discussed the alleged oppression of the Ahmadi community and blasphemy laws. The discussion triggered debate on social media, while Islamic cleric Allama Kokab Noorani threatened Hamza with “terrible consequences” for raising the topics.
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