Lahore, Apr 14: Pakistan’s media watchdog has issued a show-cause notice to a leading news channel for allegedly broadcasting “Indian content” while reporting the death of legendary singer Asha Bhosle.
A ban on Indian content has been in place in Pakistan since 2018.
The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) issued the notice to Geo News on Monday, seeking an explanation for airing Indian songs and visuals during coverage of Bhosle’s reported death.
The channel is considered close to the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government and the country’s military establishment.
Asha Bhosle, however, is alive; the singer was wrongly reported dead in the segment, according to later clarification.
Reacting to the notice, Geo News Managing Director Azhar Abbas said that it has always been customary to highlight and revisit the work of iconic artists while reporting on them. He added that for an artist of Asha Bhosle’s stature, more of her music could have been showcased.
Abbas further said that art is a shared human heritage and should not be restricted by borders. He also recalled Asha Bhosle’s admiration for Pakistani artists, including Noor Jehan and Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, and her engagement with Urdu poetry.
He added that during times of conflict, art and artists should not be made victims of political or regulatory restrictions, as they often serve as bridges between communities.
PEMRA, however, stated that the broadcast of Indian songs and film visuals violated a Supreme Court ruling that prohibits airing Indian content in Pakistan.
The watchdog said the channel violated multiple provisions of PEMRA rules and regulations, including content codes governing electronic media broadcasting.
The CEO of Geo News has been summoned on April 27 and directed to submit a written explanation within 14 days, failing which regulatory action, including fines, suspension or licence revocation, may be initiated.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Peoples Party Senator Sherry Rehman criticized PEMRA’s action, saying regulators should avoid over-policing cultural expression and artistic content. (Agency)
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