Provocative conversations took place during the shows, which led to much anger and sadness: PEMRA
Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has banned actor Hamza Ali Abbasi and TV show host Shabbir Abu Talib from hosting their Ramazan shows on Aaj TV and News One respectively.
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.
It all began with actor and social activist Hamza Ali Abbasi questioning the oppression of Ahmadis during one of his programmes on Aaj TV.
“The community is being suppressed but if you talk about it, people say ‘You’re from that community that’s why you’re saying this’,” said Hamza. “I am not an Ahmadi, I am a Sunni Muslim.” This triggered a harsh response from religious circles.
Hamza, is a co-host of Aaj TV’s post-Iftar transmission, Ramzan Hamara Emaan with Aisha Khan for Aaj TV.
The PEMRA notification adds if hosts, Hamza Ali Abbasi, Shabbir Abu Talib and religious preacher Maulana Kokab Noorani appeared on any other channel and discussed this particular controversial issue or any other such topic, that programme would also be banned. Provocative conversations took place during the shows, which led to much anger and sadness said PEMRA.
In a statement issued on Friday, PEMRA said that it had received 1,133 complaints through Whatsapp, Twitter and telephone calls regarding the transmissions. The complainants said both shows had aired provocative content.
Hamza’s response to the ban:
Soon after the notification was issued, the actor took to social media and said: “There is a divine pleasure in suffering in the way of Allah (SWT) and his beloved Prophet & Messenger Muhammad (SAW).”
There is a divine pleasure in suffering in the way of Allah (SWT) and his beloved Prophet & Messenger Muhammad (SAW). 🙂
— Hamza Ali Abbasi (@iamhamzaabbasi) June 17, 2016
Past bans on different shows:
Geo Entertainment channel had received a show-cause notice earlier this week for airing inappropriate content including ‘suicide scenes’ during its programme and has ordered the channel to explain its position before the authority on June 21.
Hum TV’s child abuse drama ‘Udaari’ was also served a notice by PEMRA, which asked for explanation of a couple of scenes in the May 8 episodes of the drama series.
Pemra had also directed TV and Radio channels to “immediately stop” airing advertisements marketing contraceptives and family planning products, according to a notification issued to all media organisations in May.
Social media explodes after the news went viral. Fans took to Twitter and different social networking sites to show their support to Hamza.