Khalil Ur Rehman Qamar is not a new name when it comes to humiliating women and being a shameless prick about it. Despite being a successful writer, he holds no respect and basic decency when it comes to talking to women. Recently, on a live TV show, Khalil Ur Rehman lost his cool for no […]
PEOPLE want to live in a society where they enjoy freedom of thought and action and can exercise their right to speak out. Unfortunately, there is now an attempt to roll back these fundamental rights. We are witnessing an alarming rise of bigotry in society that is undermining democratic values. The strengthening of religious extremism […]
ISLAMABAD: Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan Monday sought the help of religious scholars in discouraging fake news and promoting journalism, based on Islamic principles of accuracy and verification. Addressing a function in connection with role of religious scholars in reformation of the society, she said […]
ISLAMABAD: The Pemra’s clarification is in negation of the incident report signed by Regional General Manager Lahore Ikram Barkat that he also submitted on February 14, 2002 to Pemra chairman who was also insulted by the anchor during WhatsApp call. It’s file number is 14 (02)/RO-LHR/97/34192. This correspondent can provide in case Pemra Headquarter has buried it somewhere in order to hush up the matter. The incident as narrated in the incident report belies official clarification which has termed it “an outcome of misunderstanding.” A few excerpts from the incident report submitted by Pemra Lahore office merits mention to belie the impression created in Pemra’s clarification. The incident report reads: “It is to inform that on 13.02.2002 at around 3pm the undersigned (Ikram Barkat) was sitting in office with a guest when a well-known journalist/anchor along with two persons in civil dress and three armed persons in police uniform entered Pemra Regional Office Lahore. The journalist/anchor and his companions came on white Toyota Corolla bearing green number plate ‘LEG-123’. He entered office while shouting and directing his companions to seal the premises and close the doors of office and that no one should be allowed to enter or exit from office (koi na bhagay yahan say, gate band kar do, DVR qabzay mein lay lo, seal kar do etc.). He further shouted ‘where DVR or CCTV cameras installed in the office is.’ He quickly approached RGM Office, then moved to conference room and instructed his men to confiscate the DVR of CCTV cameras. Few Pemra officials, being panic of the situation tried to stop the people accompanied by the journalist/anchor. The police officials tried to manhandle the Pemra’s officials as well. However, after hearing the shouting, the undersigned immediately came out of my office […]
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) on Thursday clarified a news item published by a section of media regarding threats and detention of its staff in Lahore by an anchor person of a private news channel. Pemra is a public office organisation which deals with general public and stakeholders on daily basis, said […]
ISLAMABAD: On February 13, a top official at Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) found his mobile phone ringing. An anchor was calling at his WhatsApp number. He was in Pemra’s Lahore office, which he had stormed while “shouting and directing his companions to seal the premises and close the doors of office and that no one should be allowed to enter or exit.” Three police guards deputed for security of the anchor helped him in occupying the Lahore office. Two persons in plain clothes were also accompanying the anchor who had come in a Toyota Corolla car bearing green number plate. He further shouted asking for CCTV cameras and instructed his men to confiscate them. As the hostage-taking was in progress, Regional General Manager of Pemra Lahore came out of his room to request the annoying anchor to come and sit with him to discuss his grievance if there is any. The anchor followed RGM to his room, ordered his police guards to lock it from inside and stay alert with the weapons. Finally, RGM was also made hostage along with his two guests. It was from there, the anchor rang to a top Pemra official in Islamabad. As the call was connected, the anchor turned on speaker of his phone. “Do you want to continue your job or not,” the anchor asked the top official. “Yes, I want to continue,” was the reply. Second question, “If I ask you to delegate me all of your powers, whether you will do that or not.” The answer, “I will do that.” Third question, “If I put your phone on hold for an hour, if you will wait for me or disconnect the call.” The answer, “I will wait.” This followed requests from the top official who wanted the anchor to forgive Pemra and that the action taken against him was just by mistake. The top official further promised that he will visit Lahore to personally apologise from the anchor. The conversation ended after this reassurance and Lahore Pemra RGM was silent spectator during this course of crisis. For a background, Pemra’s Council of Complaints had fined the anchor Rs500,000 while taking action on the complaint of two provincial ministers. The anchor had alleged them of corrupt practices in his TV programme but failed to prove. Pemra chairman had approved the decision of fine and it was delivered to the anchor on the day he attacked at Pemra office in retaliation instead of seeking any legal remedy against the decision. As the matter was “resolved” after assurance of a top Pemra official, the anchor decided to celebrate it at Pemra’s Lahore office where he remained from 3:00pm to 6:00pm. He ordered the accompanying men in plain clothes to go for buying 10 pizzas who did accordingly. As they were brought at the Pemra’s Lahore office, the persons present there ate pizzas and the anchor apologised for any “inconvenience.” However, he didn’t forget to let the hostage staff know about the powers he enjoys. Taking names of high ups in judiciary and security agencies, he “tried to give an impression that he is very influential and he also got the support of all the named institutions,” RGM Ikram Barkat noted in a written report sent to Pemra chairman. “He also told us that he has powers given by the Supreme Court of Pakistan to seal any premises and office and he has the seals available in his vehicles to do so…For reference, he quoted an incident where he sealed a hospital for three days. He also asked about cell number of chairperson council of complaints. He further said that it is in his hand to revalidate the appointment period of council members and he will see whether their tenure is to be revalidated or not,” read RGM’s report which is being treated as a top secret. So much that anchor’s name has not been given in it and the report was delivered in person by RGM to chairman. “It is further informed that the said journalist/anchor called on his cell phone…During conversation he again talked a few mixed and ambiguous things and categorically asked him ‘Maza aya aaj (hope you enjoyed today).’…Some of the conversations of the event (both audio & video), recorded through mobile phones are also enclosed for ready reference…There are many things/conversation which he even cannot write in order to protect dignity and honor of the organisation and higher posts; however he can inform everything in person,” reads the report. The News International
درخواست جمع کرانے کی آخری تاریخ جمعہ،27فروری،2020 پاکستان پریس فاوٗنڈیشن (پی پی ایف)نے پاکستان میں میڈیا کی آزادی اور حفاظت کے فیلو شپ پروگرام کے لیے درخواستیں وصول کرنے کا اعلان کردیا۔ اس فیلو شپ پروگرام کا مقصد آزادی اظہار رائے کو فروغ دینا اور میڈیا کارکنان کو مدد فراہم کرناہے تاکہ وہ میڈیا کی […]
Last date: Thursday, February 27, 2020 Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) has issued a call for applications for Fellowship program on Media Safety and Impunity in Pakistan. The fellowship program aims to promote freedom of expression by providing support to media professionals to produce stories related to issues on Media Safety and Impunity. The fellowship programs […]
ISLAMABAD: An additional district and sessions judge of Islamabad on Friday issued non-bailable warrants of arrest for TV anchorperson Mubashir Luqman in a criminal complaint filed against him by Anwar Aziz, father of ex-minister Daniyal Aziz, for allegedly using slanderous language. The court also issued arrest warrants for Luqman’s guarantor Rehan Ishfaq as Luqman who […]
Senior journalist Lubna Jerar Naqvi said the race in releasing news as soon as it breaks has resulted in misinformation. Addressing a discussion on fake news and the legal repercussions for media organisations that generate fake news, organised by the Coalition for Women in Journalism (CFWIJ) at the Karachi Union of Journalists’ office, Naqvi said: […]
ISLAMABAD: A local court on Friday ordered registration of FIR against the production team of a television drama serial for alleged fraud and theft of valuables. Additional district and sessions judge Abdul Ghafoor Kakar gave the order on the application filed by producer Nosheen Agha. The case will be registered against actress Hina Altaf, actor […]
LAHORE: Punjab Information Minister Fayyazul Hassan Chohan has offered former chief minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif money to pay lawyer’s fee to sue British ‘Daily Mail’ journalist, David Rose, over corruption allegations, if he didn’t have enough for the purpose. While addressing a press conference here on Saturday, he advised Pakistan Muslim League-N president to meet […]
Media and human rights groups including IFEX members condemn Pakistan’s decision to prevent the entry of Steven Butler, who was scheduled to speak at a human rights conference On 17 October the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) Asia Program Coordinator Steven Butler was refused entry into Pakistan, despite having a valid visa. Butler was told […]
PESHAWAR: The satellite TV channels and FM radios continue to promote quackery despite directives by Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) not to air health-related advertisements without permission of the government. Even some mainstream satellite Pashto channels air such programmes in which the unqualified doctors offer treatment for all ailments. The homoeopaths have become radio […]
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