Pak TV channel gets show-cause notice over banned anchor

A Pakistani TV channel was issued a show-cause notice by the country's electronic media watchdog today for "willful defiance" after it allowed a banned anchor to go on air.
Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) yesterday slapped ban on Amir Liaquat Hussain for making "hate speeches" during his programme 'Aisay Nahi Chalay Ga' and ordered his employer Bol TV to implement the ban.
However, the TV not only let Hussain air his programme but also used promos featuring the anchorman, forcing the regulator to take action.
"Bol News in blatant and deliberate violation of aforementioned prohibition orders not only televised the programme 'Aisay Nahi Chalay Ga' but also allowed the host (Liaquat) to appear on Bol News at 22:45 on Jan 26, 2017," PEMRA said.

The regulator ordered the channel to give an explanation within seven days otherwise an appropriate action would take.
Earlier, Bol was taken down in some areas during the wiring of the program yesterday but in most parts of the country its service was available.

PEMRA said it was "willful defiance of the orders" and was a cognisable offence.
Hussain who became famous while hosting a religious program on Geo TV some years back last year joined Bol TV.
Recently, he has been involved in verbal clashes with others TV anchors and social media activists and also declared that a large chunk of mediapersons and civil society activists as "infidels, enemies of Islam and Indian agents".

Meanwhile, in a related development, Hussain was booked by police in Rawalpindi police yesterday under the anti-terrorism laws for making hate speech against a rights activist.