Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) Council of Complaint (CoC) Sindh in a meeting held at PEMRA Headquarters, on Monday, recommended a fine of Rs 1 million on Metro-1 TV channel for leveling baseless allegations against Senator Saeed Ghani in its TV programme.

It was also recommended thatt he channels should air an apology in the same manner and magnitude it broadcasted content within a period of 15 days.

The 40th Meeting of the Council chaired by Prof Inam Bari made the above-mentioned recommendations after hearing complaints lodged by the barristers and legal consultants of Senator Saeed Ghani against Multi Plus Corporation (Pvt) Ltd (Metro-1) for airing defamatory report against his client multiple times on the channel.

Senator Saeed Ghani accompanied by Senator Rubina Khalid came himself to attend the meeting, present his case and to clear him of the allegations that were leveled by the channel. He requested the Bureau Head of Metro-1 Islamabad, Habib ur Rehman and Chief Reporter Baber Shehzad Turk to present the council with any evidence that they might have against him under which the report was aired. However, the representatives of Metro-1 were unable to do so.

After listening to both sides, the council recommended a fine of Rs 1,000,000 on Multi Plus Corporation (Pvt) Ltd (Metro-1) to be deposited within 15 day for airing defamatory and baseless allegations without any evidence against Senator Saeed Ghani.

The channel was also warned that in case of repeated violation of similar nature, or noncompliance to the above decision, the authority shall proceed against the channel for revocation of its license under Section 30 of PEMRA Ordinance, 2002, as amended by the PEMRA (Amendment) Act, 2007.  The council also recommended that Metro-1 should air an apology with the same manner and magnitude to its viewers and run tickers about the said content aired, within fifteen days.

JUI (F) MNA Shahida Akhtar Ali, lodged a complaint against Labbaik (Pvt) Ltd (Bol News TV) for airing derogatory and false allegations on JUI (F) Chief Maulana Fazalur Rehman in the programme “Aisay Nahe Challay Ga” dated 21st November, 2016 by Dr Amir Liaquat. Ali requested the council to take strict action against the channel as no one has the right to make false and personal allegations against the personality of a senior member of the Parliament of Pakistan. On the request of the counsel of Labbaik (Pvt) Ltd (Bol News), represented by Raja Rizwan of Rizwan Law Associates, the Council deferred the matter for fifteen days.