ISLAMABAD: The Supreme
Court on Monday stopped Bol TV management from airing Amir Liaquat Hussain’s show.
The court also warned the channel’s management if it does not stop the show then contempt proceedings will be initiated.
A three-member bench, headed by Justice Amir Hani Muslim took up PEMRA’s plea against the Sindh High
Court’s January 27 order in favour of Bol TV management. PEMRA Chairman Absar Alam also appeared before the court.
The regularity au
thority said t
hat they have receive
d hundreds of complaints regarding the contents of Amir Liaqat’s show. The complaints contended t
hat the host is making unfounded and baseless allegations against ‘activists’ and ‘journalists’.
The regularity au
thority on January 26 issued a Prohibition Order under Section 27 of the 2002 Ordinance whereby TV management was directed to prohibit from broadcasting or re-broadcasting the show and ensure t
hat the host is not permitted to appear on any show.
However, Bol TV proceeded to air the programme, therefore, the regularity au
thority was compelled to issue a show cause notice next day.
Meanwhile, the TV management on January 27 approached the high court, wherein they got relief on same day and th
e operation of PEMRA’s Prohibition Order was suspended.
Now, the regularity au
thority has challenged the SHC’s order in the SC. The petition said that PEMRA did not close transmission of Bol TV at any time. Bol TV Executive Director Usman Shahid submitted a written assurance but the bench rejected it. He assured the court t
hat they would not air the show.