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Pemra bans Aamir Liaquat from appearing on television for a month

Pemra bans Aamir Liaquat from appearing on television for a month

Pemra says Dr Liaquat has caused "unwarranted drama on the basis of religion and hurt sentiments of different sects"
26 May, 2018

Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) on Friday banned TV host and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf member Dr Aamir Liaquat from appearing on any TV channel in Pakistan for thirty days after ruling that he had violated several sections of Pemra Ordinance in a TV programme a day ago.

Pemra notes that Dr Liaquat "merely for creating sensation and in order to achieve maximum rating", created "unwarranted drama on the basis of religion and hurt the sentiments of different sects and public at large".

After this incident, Dr Liaquat "quit the show, leaving the live platform for the guest Ulemas who exchanged quite harsh arguments," the notification adds.

Pemra said the show's content violated Section 20(b), (c) (f) of Pemra Ordinance 2002 among others, noting that Dr Liaquat "is misusing/abusing the platform without adhering to the provisions of Pemra rules".

Old habits die hard...

It is not the first time that Dr Liaquat has been accused of spreading discord and hatred in the country and subsequently faced sanctions.

In January 2017, Pemra had banned Dr Liaquat programme after he had levelled allegations of blasphemy against 'disappeared' civil society activists and bloggers.

In December 2017, he was again barred — this time by the Islamabad High Court — from making any appearances on TV after a petitioner had accused him of "handing out fatwas (religious edicts) on kufr (cardinal sin) and treason, which have put the lives of a number of people in danger".

In 2016, Pemra had barred Liaquat from hosting Ramazan show Inam Ghar on Geo Entertainment for three days following his June 6 episode, in which he had distastefully re-enacted the suicide of a girl.

In 2013, he had sparked outrage by 'giving away' babies to childless couples during live coverage of his Ramazan transmission. He had defended his actions as 'charity.

In 2011, a controversial behind-the-scenes video was released via social media showing the presenter using vulgar language and speaking crassly with his companions during different instances of his show.

In 2008, Dr Liaquat was widely criticised after he had hosted a TV show during which he, along with others, passed hateful comments against a minority community and discussed their murder as an act of religious duty. The show was followed within days of its airing by the murder of two people belonging to the said community.


This story originally appeared on Dawn.com

Comments

asad May 26, 2018 02:54pm
Bol Tv should also be penalized for airing such drama of Amir Liaquat just to gain publicity and rating, Amir Liaquat should not just be banned but also fined him.
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FK May 26, 2018 03:31pm
He is not worth for the publicity he is getting. Ban him for life.
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Ahsan Gul May 26, 2018 04:14pm
Ban him for life. These guys are bad example for our citizens.
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Zak May 26, 2018 04:34pm
Tv should be for spreading harmony not hatred.
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Sajid May 26, 2018 04:39pm
After so many instances of hate mongering by this person, he should not only be banned forever, but also should be prosecuted for inciting hatred among different sects.
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Faisal May 26, 2018 04:40pm
Why do everyone call hims "Doctor"? Isnt it proven that he doesn't hold any Doctorate degree?
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GHALIBJEEE May 26, 2018 05:08pm
Why everybody wants to give coverage to this guy.
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Sam May 26, 2018 07:09pm
Why is he still allowed to come on air when we have seen his real face in the leaked "behind the scenes" videos?
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Reality Bites May 26, 2018 08:16pm
How many bans does it take to put one repeat offender in jail for long time? All it has done so far is get him higher ratings and a political position with PTI.
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Jo May 26, 2018 10:19pm
Ban this guy for life time. His hatred is unacceptable by any standard.
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L.Ahmad May 27, 2018 08:24am
He should have been banned forever many years ago.
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El Cid May 27, 2018 08:27am
Heck, everyone hurts for one reason or another. Let free speech be. Leave him alone. He is too funny, hilarious. Let his audience decide, let them switch him off if they want, let the market decide.
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AzmeeN May 27, 2018 08:29am
Why not PEMRA ban Aamir Liaqat forever in case he is not ready to mend himself.
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Afi May 27, 2018 09:44am
He should be banned forever.
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Khan May 27, 2018 09:52am
Ban him for life ! People like him are disease in any society !
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Mirza May 27, 2018 11:20am
Ban him for life.
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Irfan_Sydney May 27, 2018 11:27am
I can't understand why our people have such a weak memory. First we found out that he has 3 fake degrees i.e. bachelors, masters and PhD degrees. We forgot about it. Then we saw a video which had enough material for anyone to lose face, but we forgot about that too. Now he is inciting violence between different sects of Islam and guess what he has just been banned for 30 days. He must be laughing his head off in his home that with all of this in his past he was requested by Imran Khan to join PTI. I don't know what he would do to be permanently banned from the media because whatever he does is forgiven.
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Nobody May 27, 2018 03:48pm
Ban him forever
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Saad May 29, 2018 04:03am
Only 30 days... Do we need him to burn the whole country???
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Iqbal Malik May 29, 2018 08:39am
Ban him for life.
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Nasir Askar May 29, 2018 01:11pm
Thanks You PEMRA.
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