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Time Out with Ahsan Khan fined Rs500,000 by PEMRA for using animals as props

Time Out with Ahsan Khan fined Rs500,000 by PEMRA for using animals as props

PEMRA said the animals were subjected to "unnecessary pain and suffering".
01 May, 2021

The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has imposed a Rs500,000 fine on Express Entertainment for the use of animals as props on Time Out with Ahsan Khan.

The petition was filed by lawyer Faizullah Khan Niazi on behalf of Santia Gulzar against the TV channel for its violations and animal abuse. Announcing the news on Twitter, Niazi said, "PEMRA saw fit to accept my arguments and impose a fine on Express Entertainment for using animals as props for the purposes of entertainment in its show Time Out with Ahsan Khan".

"The CoC [Council of Complaints] upheld the rights of animals and stopped unnecessary pain and suffering being caused to them," he wrote.

In its order, Pemra noted that the show's use of animals as props is a violation of its policies. It said that the animals were caused "unnecessary pain and suffering". "Subjugating animals to such uncalled for treatment is clearly prohibited under Article 4 and Article 9 of the Constitution of Pakistan," said the order.

In the show, Khan uses rabbits as props for a game. Asking his celebrity guests questions, he places the rabbit on their lap if they couldn't answer it, or answer it incorrectly. The contestant celebrities often yell at the rabbit, or they move away from it, causing it harm either way.

The fine is an encouraging decision, as Pakistani TV shows are notorious for being ruthless with animals on set. We are glad the national regulator is taking note of such violations and acknowledging that animals deserve to be protected.

Comments

Pew May 01, 2021 11:26am
Shame on this disgraceful little beta man
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Sheema May 01, 2021 11:40am
Good, i agree with the decision for the poor animals
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Chrís Dăn May 01, 2021 12:59pm
An impressive decision.
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Fast comment May 01, 2021 02:17pm
This humaneless guy got the right fine.
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Humaira May 01, 2021 02:21pm
responsibles should charge 50,0000000 $.
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mutair May 01, 2021 02:22pm
Good decision. Penalty should more even
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dubaiwalla May 01, 2021 04:26pm
The best decision to come out of Pakistan in a while. The show's broadcaster could ban the show and the host for his despicable behaviour.
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Ibrahim May 01, 2021 08:41pm
That's so commendable. When would we punish those who falsely accuse and lynch minorities.
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