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The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) has issued a show-cause notice to the chief executive officer of City News Network over ‘objectionable content’ aired during Monday’s episode of the show Mornings with Fiza on 24 News.

A clip from the April 13 episode making the rounds on social media shows the host Fiza Ali being picked up by her husband Ejaz Khan — who was also a guest on the show — and briefly slung over his shoulder.

A day after the clip went viral, Ali maintained it was a “lighthearted spontaneous gesture that did not have any bad meaning behind it”, but the moment drew sharp criticism online, including from the chairperson of the Punjab Women Protection Authority, Hina Parvez Butt.

Butt termed the incident as “regrettable”, adding that adults should “demonstrate good morals and decorum so that children and the younger generation can learn something better.”

Pemra took notice of the clip and issued a notice on Monday, saying that the episode included “highly inappropriate comments” and an “obnoxious gesture” by a guest that were “aired without any editorial oversight”.

The authority said the programme was in violation of Pemra rules and directed the network’s CEO to appear before the regulatory body in Islamabad on April 27 to submit a written reply as to why legal action should not be initiated.

Additionally, the CEO was ordered to “stop telecasting such inappropriate content”.

The notice added that ex-parte proceedings and legal action would be initiated in case of non-compliance under the relevant Pemra regulations.

With additional reporting by Kalbe Ali