Tag: PEMRA

  • Pemra restricts all media outlets from covering banned TLP

    Pemra restricts all media outlets from covering banned TLP

    The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) has restricted all television channels and other media outlets from covering any activity of the banned Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP).

    While issuing the orders in a notification, Pemra referred to the April 15 letter of the Interior Ministry, which had declared the TLP a proscribed outfit, as well as its earlier notification about banning its coverage. It was in April that Pemra first placed a ban on the TLP after it was banned by the government.

    Read more – ‘Go back or things will be out of my hands,’ Sheikh Rasheed warns TLP protesters

    The official notification says, “It is reiterated that regulation 18(h) of Pemra (Television Broadcast Station Operation) Regulation, 2012 and clause 16 of the Electronic Media Code of Conduct, 2015 requires that the programmes shall conform to the laws of the country. Further, Clause 3 (3) of Electronic Media Code of Conduct, 2015 prohibits media coverage of proscribed organisations.”

    “Keeping in view the reasons stated above, in exercise of the powers conferred under Section 27 of Pemra Ordinance, 2002 as amended by Pemra Amendment Act, 2007 all satellite TV channels, FM radio stations and distribution service networks (Cobb TV Operators, IPTV) are hereby directed to stop the media coverage of proscribed organisation TLP,” read the statement.

    Read more – ‘Will not allow facts to be distorted’: TLP asks Sheikh Rasheed to reveal details of negotiations

    Currently, TLP is determined to continue with its long march to the federal capital, Islamabad.

    Recent clashes between the banned organisation and the government resulted in at least five officials’ death and more than 200 injuries.

  • LHC issues notice to Pemra for restricting ‘hugs, caressing, bed scenes’ in dramas

    LHC issues notice to Pemra for restricting ‘hugs, caressing, bed scenes’ in dramas

    The Lahore High Court (LHC) issued notice to the Pakistan Electronic and Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) on Tuesday, seeking its reply on a plea challenging a notification wherein television channels had been directed to refrain from airing caress and hug scenes in Pakistani dramas, reports Dawn.

    In the plea taken up by Justice Jawad Hassan on Saturday, the petitioner contended that Pemra’s notification was “illegal” and “contrary to the ethos of the Pemra Ordinance 2002”.

    It argued that Pemra had no authority to issue directions such as those mentioned in the notification and that the media regulator’s move was based on “malafide, ulterior motives and was in sheer violation of the fundamental rights of the petitioner”.

    The petitioner said the issuance of the notification was indicative of the “sick mentality of Pemra authorities and termed the directives discriminatory”.

    Moreover, “the impugned advice has been passed without any prior discussion with the stakeholders or the affectees of the advice [and] therefore, is violative of the Article 10-A of the Constitution,” the petitioner argued in the plea.

    On October 21, Pemra issued its official notice, which said, “In continuation to earlier directions of the authority issued from time to time wherein, it was conveyed that Satellite TV channels are indulged in airing objectionable dramas/ content based on indecent dressing, caressing, bed scenes and gestures sensitive/ controversial unnecessary detailing of the event(s), which are highly disturbing, distressing for the viewers and against the commonly accepted standards of decency.”

    It also added, “On the prevalent trends in Pakistani drama industry, Pemra is not only receiving numerous complaints from the general public on Pakistan Citizen Portal (PCP) and media/ What’s App groups.”

    “All Satellite TV channels are hereby directed to refrain from airing caress/ hug scenes in dramas and properly review the content of the dramas through In-House Monitoring Committee and edit/ amend the same by giving due consideration to above reservations and apprehension of the viewers.”

  • ‘No Hugs, Caressing, Bed Scenes’ In Dramas, Directs Pemra

    ‘No Hugs, Caressing, Bed Scenes’ In Dramas, Directs Pemra









    *|MC:SUBJECT|*







    View this email in your browser

    Good afternoon ,*|MERGE1|*. It’s Oct 24 and happy holiday!  

    I have been waiting for this day for so long not because of the weekend but because it’s a big day today. Yes, it’s Pak VS Ind today at 7pm in Dubai. Today is all about the match and I’m not doing anything else. Waisey who do you think will win? Well, I don’t want to sound like a defeatist lekin according to experts and current positions of both teams, India is likely to beat us. But let’s not be negative and hope for the best. P.S I am all in for a bet. 

    And do you know that other than this big match being played, there are also other football matches on, some major ones too. Do check them out!    It’s going to rain in Islamabad and is sunny elsewhere. 

     
         Sajjal -Th    e Current 

    STORY OF MY LIFE 

    STORIES YOU CAN’T MISS… 

    Pakistan denies reports of ‘agreement’ with US to use airspace for military operations in Afghanistan

    In a statement by Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the spokesperson stated that “no such understanding was in place”. The statement said that Pakistan and the United States (US) have longstanding cooperation on regional security and counter-terrorism and the two sides remain engaged in regular consultations.

    Background: 

    A report published by CNN suggested that the US administration is nearing an agreement with Pakistan to use its airspace to conduct military and intelligence operations in Afghanistan.

    Remember? In an interview, Prime Minister (PM) of Pakistan Imran Khan said that Pakistan would absolutely not allow the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to use bases on its soil for cross-border counter-terrorism missions after American forces withdraw from Afghanistan. 

    Read On

    Imran Khan’s three-day visit to Saudi Arabia 

    Prime Minister Imran Khan is in Saudi for a three-day visit to attend the launch ceremony of the Middle East Green Initiative (MGI) Summit in the capital Riyadh, announced the Foreign Office (FO) of Pakistan.

    What is going to take place there? At the MGI event, the prime minister will share his perspective on the challenges faced by developing countries due to climate change, PMO statement said.

    PM Khan will also participate in an event for the promotion of investment in Pakistan and interact with leading investors and businessmen from Saudi Arabia and the Pakistani diaspora, read the official statement.

    Click the button below to find out more about his visit. 

    Read On

      ‘No hugs, caressing, bed scenes’ in dramas, directs Pemra

    Oops! What the…? The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) issued a warning to all satellite channels to refrain from airing caress and hug scenes in Pakistani dramas in a recent notification. 

    The notifications reads: “All Satellite TV channels are hereby directed to refrain from airing caress/ hug scenes in dramas and properly review the content of the dramas through In-House Monitoring Committee and edit/ amend the same by giving due consideration to above reservations and apprehension of the viewers.”

    I wonder what PEMRA thinks about the abusive and slapping scenes on TV? Why are those not given any consideration?

    Read On

    TOP PICKS 

    Asim Azhar clears the air over stance on Ali Azmat’s controversial comments, calls out media

    Singer Asim Azhar has clarified that his recent tweet was not hinted towards Ali Azmat for his viral comments on late veteran singer, Noor Jehan.

    Islamabad records 174 dengue cases in last 24 hours

    110 cases of dengue have been reported from the rural areas and 64 from the urban areas.

    .

    What was trending? 

     1.#PakVsInd

     It was the top trending hashtag yesterday as both the teams will be facing each other today.

    2.#ENGvWI

     This hashtag was trending on Pakistani Twitter because WI lost to England in T20 world cup match.

    3.#TLPDharna

     This hashtag was trending in relevance to TLP’s march towards Islamabad.

    TheCurrent Recommends 

    Read/watch ‘Macbeth’
     

    Macbeth is a tragedy by William Shakespeare; it is thought to have been first performed in 1606. It dramatises the damaging physical and psychological effects of political ambition on those who seek power for its own sake.

    The Current Horoscope 

     You’re running extra sensitive under Sunday’s skies, Scorpio.
    Check yours now! 

    ON THIS DAY  United Nations Day 

    The United Nations Day is observed on October 24 and marks the anniversary of the entry into force in 1945 of the UN Charter. The United Nations (UN) Day is observed on October 24 each year and marks the official establishment of the United Nations in 1945.

    CURRENT BABA’S WISDOM FOR TODAY 

    Don’t eat too much today!

     
    HEY, Wait for A SECOND PLEASE. 
    If you like the newsletter, make sure that this email doesn’t get lost in promotions or spam.

    Here’s how: 

    • Through your phone, add us by hitting the “Kabob,” (the three dots in upper right-hand corner). Then click “move to,” and select “primary inbox.”
    • If you’re using a desktop just drag and drop the email into primary as shown in the video below. (You can also do this on your phone if you open your email in your browser). Easy.

    And don’t forget to send us your feedback. We would love to hear from you 

    Twitter

    Facebook

    Instagram

    Website

    Subscribe | Unsubscribe | Forward to a friendCopyright © 2020 Instant Morning Current, All rights reserved.



    This email was sent to *|EMAIL|*

    why did I get this?    unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences

    *|LIST:ADDRESSLINE|*


  • ‘No hugs, caressing, bed scenes’ in dramas, directs Pemra

    ‘No hugs, caressing, bed scenes’ in dramas, directs Pemra

    The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) issued its warning to all Satellite channels to refrain from airing caress and hug scenes in Pakistani dramas in a recent notification.

    “In continuation to earlier directions of the authority issued from time to time wherein, it was conveyed that Satellite TV channels are indulged in airing objectionable dramas/ content based on indecent dressing, caressing, bed scenes and gestures sensitive/ controversial unnecessary detailing of event(s), which are highly disturbing, distressing for the viewers and against the commonly accepted standards of decency,” read the notification.

    It also added, “On the prevalent trends in Pakistani drama industry, Pemra is not only receiving numerous complaints from general public on Pakistan Citizen Portal (PCP) and media/ What’s App groups.

    “All Satellite TV channels are hereby directed to refrain from airing caress/ hug scenes in dramas and properly review the content of the dramas through In-House Monitoring Committee and edit/ amend the same by giving due consideration to above reservations and apprehension of the viewers.”

    All Satellite TV lincensees are also required to stop airing such content in dramas and are directed to follow Pemra laws.

  • High-powered cell to investigate 700 Pakistanis in Pandora Papers: PM Khan

    High-powered cell to investigate 700 Pakistanis in Pandora Papers: PM Khan

    Prime Minis­ter (PM) Imran Khan on Monday formed a high-powered cell to investigate the 700 Pakistanis named in the Pandora Papers, including federal cabinet members, politicians, retired generals, owners of media houses, and others in establishing offshore companies.

    PM Khan categorically stated that the prominent leaders and federal ministers of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) will have to clear themselves.

    Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry, while speaking to Dawn said: “The prime minister was adamant that those who have been accused in Pandora Papers of having offshore firms will have to clear themselves.”

    The minister took to Twitter and informed about the formulation of the high-powered investigation cell. “The prime minister has set up a high-level cell under the Prime Minister’s Inspection Commission to investigate the Pandora leaks, which will present the facts before the nation,” tweeted Fawad.

    Law Minister Farogh Naseem would head the investigation cell that would also comprise the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), and Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) officials. The cases of the cabinet members would be sent to NAB for investigation. A separate probe will be launched by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) to investigate the media owners whose names are included in the Pandora Papers, reports Dawn.

    Those who had evaded tax or made offshore firms through ill-gotten money would be taken to task, otherwise, no action would be taken against others because establishing offshore firms was not a crime, the source tells Dawn.

    Under the law, setting up an offshore company is not an offence or crime if the company is not involved in any illegal activity. However, those who have not declared these companies in their returns as assets may face legal action.

    After the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) released a detailed list of public figures with offshore companies called the ‘Pandora Papers’ as part of their new investigation, PM Khan vowed to investigate all those Pakistanis mentioned in the Pandora Papers, and tweeted: “If any wrongdoing is established we will take appropriate action.”

  • Ban sources responsible for spreading obscenity and nudity demand ulema

    Ban sources responsible for spreading obscenity and nudity demand ulema

    Religious scholars (ulema) have condemned the rape of a girl in a seminary in Rawalpindi and demanded that perpetrators of such detestable crimes should be given punishment in public through speedy trial, reported Dawn.

    In a joint declaration issued after attending a consultative meeting, ulemas expressed grief over the rising incidents of child abuse and women harassment in Pakistan and said that the prime minister and chief justice of Pakistan should take immediate action against the culprits and order their speedy trials.

    They urged the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA), Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), and Ministry of Information to block porn websites and pornographic and nude content and advertisements on social media.

    The joint declaration said that the rules of Shariah are clear for both men and women. It is obligatory for both men and women to cover themselves properly and avoid obscenity and nudity. Shariah does not allow a man to touch or harass a woman, the declaration said.

    The joint declaration said that the rising incidents of abuse and harassment of boys and girls and the state of fear and intimidation prevailing among women demand from all sections of society, especially the government and judiciary, to ban and close all such sources responsible for spreading obscenity and nudity in society.

  • Journalists lash out at new PEMRA directives on how to cover natural calamities

    Journalists lash out at new PEMRA directives on how to cover natural calamities

    Pakistan Electronic Media and Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) issued new directives to news and current affairs television channels, on the recent coverage of torrential rain and urban flooding in the country.

    The notice issued by PEMRA says: “It has been observed with grave concern that while reporting/airing news/ footages on natural calamities, torrential rains, and flooding, news channels generally rely on videos which are widely circulated on digital platforms such a Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and WhatsApp instead of mobilising their own field teams for providing actual /real-time footages to the viewers, which is not only the responsibility of the channels but also mandated.”

    The statement further said that these “sloppy videos” create “unnecessary panic and fear” not only among the inhabitants of the cities being reported but for the loved ones living across the country or even abroad.

    The authority said, ” All satellite TV channels are once again directed to produce their own footages/packages and train their reporters/ news teams to be vigilant, responsive and active and cover each event/ occasion themselves so that viewers could get real-time factual information rather than relying on videos available on social media platforms.”

    Journalists lashed out at the new PEMRA directives.

    Jounailt Shahzad Iqbal tweeted, “Ruling party #PTI & Govt use social media for narratives but social media footages of rain in Islamabad that killed two people can’t be used?”

    Iqbal further wrote, “It will also mean media won’t be able to air any footage of atrocities in Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK) or attacks on Palestinians by Israeli forces because we don’t have our reporters in the field.”

    Journalist Amber Rahim Shamsi wrote, ” Every channel in the world uses eyewitness footage from emergencies/disasters/conflict zones. It’s a bizarre directive until you realise the motive – keep TV channels on a tight leash when it makes the government look bad.”

    Journalist Zebunnisa Burki criticised the new directive and tweeted, “Pemra seems to have gone completely off the rails.”

    Journalist Benazir Shah questioned, “Guess PEMRA has not heard of ‘citizen journalism.’ If a video has been verified by channel why can it not be aired?”

  • ‘No one can dare undermine me,’ Fawad Chaudhry burns BBC HARDTalk

    ‘No one can dare undermine me,’ Fawad Chaudhry burns BBC HARDTalk

    Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry talked on the protection of journalists, the involvement of the establishment within the state, the economy of Pakistan, missing persons, popularity of Prime Minister Imran Khan, Covid stituation and many other issues in an interview given to BBC host Stephen John Sackur on BBC HARDtalk.

    Journalists Protection

    The host opened the interview by asking what is the government and Fawad Chaudhry being the Information Minister doing to protect the journalists of the country. Sackur mentioned the recent attack on journalist Asad Ali Toor, who was severely beaten up by unidentified assailants in his apartment. Sackur further mentioned how a senior journalist and former Chairman of Pakistan Electronic Media Authority (Pemra), Absar Alam, was shot in Islamabad. To which Fawad Chaudhry replied, “Individual incidents do happen. The situation is not only dangerous for journalists but it has been for all the citizens of Pakistan. We have faced the worst terrorism. When we were fighting our war against terrorism, we lost a lot of field journalists and many civilians.”

    “Benazir Bhutto too got killed due to terrorism. We have been dealing with tough times,” replied Fawad.

    Stephen Sackur asked what the state was doing about the involvement of state agencies in such incidents.

    “It’s a bit fashionable for the western media to accuse ISI (Inter-Services Intelligence)
    when such incidents happen. When you name any organisation or Pakistani intelligence agency, you are bound to produce evidence of their involvement as well,” replied the minister. “The two specific incidents which you have mentioned, the investigation is still under process, I still don’t know under what pretext have you concluded that the state must be involved in any of this.”

    Direct State Interference

    BBC host asked Chaudhry about freedom of speech in Pakistan. He said that media censorship has increased during Imran Khan’s tenure. Chaudhry replied, “We have about 112 private channels, 43 international channels, with this kind of mass media we have, how do you expect the state to intimidate the media? How can the state be accused of intimidating the media?”

    Censorship

    “I am the Information Minister of the world’s fifth-largest state. I am the Information Minister of one of the world’s seven nuclear states of the world. No one can dare to undermine me. I am here with full authority and I decide in Pakistan what will and what is happening,” answered Fawad when told by Sackur that Chaudhry has no real power or control.

    PTI government’s comparison with previous government’s

    The host compared the working of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) with previous governments.

    “This may be a perception of some Indian-influenced think tanks, not ours. This is not the perception of the people in general. Imran Khan is the most popular prime minister,” said Fawad.

    “As said, don’t undermine the elected government of Pakistan. Imran Khan has received nearly 200 million votes. This is not a joke. He is the prime minister of a nuclear state. He takes the decisions, the cabinet takes the decisions,” added Fawad.

    Relation with establishment

    Fawad Chaudhry said that we have a very good relationship with the ‘so-called establishment’ “as you term it so often. They are part and parcel of our system. We have huge respect for them, but the decision-making rests with the prime minister and the cabinet.”

    Missing Persons

    The BBC host asked about missing persons the security establishments, and the deep state?

    “ISI and army respect human rights just as any other civilian government will do. They are the most civilised army of the world, they are the most responsible army of the world. People in Pakistan respect them for their role,” said Fawad.

    “Least number of missing persons were reported in Imran Khan’s government. We are the only government that has just passed a law against disappearance. We are the only ones who have made illegal confinement a criminal offense. And now the bill has been passed and will go to the parliament,” added Fawad

    Imran Khan’s pledge to deliver

    The show host said that PM Khan’s promises have not been delivered to the people of Pakistan.

    “Unfortunately, I do not agree with your conclusion. Right now Pakistan’s growth rate is 3.94 per cent, which is one of the highest in the whole world despite all the Covid crises,” said Fawad.

    Fawad added, “People who have voted for Prime Minister Imran Khan and PTI are still ardent fans. In the next elections, PM Imran Khan will be elected again.”

    Covid situation

    Sackur asked why only one per cent of Pakistan’s population has been vaccinated.

    “As far as Covid is concerned Pakistan is a great success story. The partial lockdown story that Prime Minister Imran Khan implemented in Pakistan was a great success story,” replied Chaudhry.

  • PEMRA fines ‘Time Out with Ahsan Khan’ Rs 500,000 for using animals as props

    PEMRA fines ‘Time Out with Ahsan Khan’ Rs 500,000 for using animals as props

    The Pakistan Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has slapped a fine of Rs 500,000 to Express Entertainment’s celebrity talk show Time Out with Ahsan Khan for using animals as props.

    Lawyer Faizullah Khan Niazi, who filed a “self-explanatory” complaint before the regulatory body on behalf of Santia Gulzar against the TV channel and show announced PEMRA’s decision on social media and shared a copy of the order.

    “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,” wrote Niazi on Twitter.

    “The Council of Complaints (CoC) [in it’s 106th meeting] upheld the rights of animals and stopped unnecessary pain and suffering being caused to them,” added the lawyer.

    https://twitter.com/niazi_faizullah/status/1387733747433365504?s=19

    “The Council after hearing the matter was of the considered view that the treatment towards animals in this specific show caused unnecessary pain and suffering to the animals used as props in the show. Subjugating animals to such uncalled-for treatment is clearly prohibited under Article 4 and Article 9 of the Constitution of Pakistan,” read PEMRA’s order.

    Abuzar Khan Niazi, who is a Managing Partner at Lahore-based Crown Law Chambers also shared the judgment on social media, saying that the “treatment metted out to rabbits has been declared illegal and unconstitutional”.

    Chairperson Child Protection and Welfare Bureau Punjab and a Spokesperson of the Punjab Government Sarah Ahmad hailed the decision, calling it a “landmark judgement on animal rights”.

    Earlier in March, Crown Chambers had filed a complaint before PEMRA against Express Entertainment and the show for using animals as props.

    “The captioned TV show has broadcasted insensitive and reckless content committing negligence and cruelty towards animals by subjecting them to unnecessary suffering and thereby, also mentally disturbing the general public at large,” the complaint had read.

    For one of its segments, Time Out with Ahsan Khan used rabbits as props. The segment features a series of multiple-choice questions and if the celebrity answers a question incorrectly, a rabbit is placed on their lap. While some may see this as a harmless act, celebrities like Maya Ali were seen screaming out of fear. The complainant felt that this causes distress to the animal and accounts as animal cruelty.

    Meanwhile, Ahsan Khan while speaking exclusively to The Current responded to the controversy, saying: “Let me clarify. These rabbits are basically pets and the person who owns them brings them to the set. When they are on set, we make sure that they are well-fed and taken care of and are not facing any issues. They are not uncomfortable at all. The person whose pets they are keeps them indoors and they are very easy to play with.”

    “Araam say haathon main aa jaatay hain,” explained Khan.

    The actor then said that being a pet lover he is very careful with the animals on set and cares for them.

    “I myself am a pet lover,” said Ahsan. “I have dogs at home. I have cats. I also have parrots and hens and they are all like my own children. We try to provide them with comfortable environments. So naturally, we are very careful with the animals – all of us on set.”

    He further said that after the show invited backlash for “using animals as props,” he and his producer decided to avoid it.

    “My producer and I thought that if this is hurting people and they are not liking it, then we can avoid it. So we have cut out the segment in the last three to four episodes we’ve recorded,” stated Ahsan, clarifying that the ones which included the animals were shot before.

    “Although this segment is one of my favourites because this is the only one in which we discuss general knowledge, which not only educates my guests but also those who are watching the show. Whoever gives a wrong answer has to hold the pet in their lap,” he shared. It is pertinent to add here that the male guests usually enjoy petting the animals but the female guests are scared of them and often jump around screaming when asked to hold them.

    “We on our end have been very careful with handling them, but if some people don’t like it then we, including my producers and all can apologise to them,” concluded Khan. “It’s a mutual thing. If something is not right, we should look into it.”

  • Ahsan Khan responds to ‘animal props’ controversy

    Ahsan Khan responds to ‘animal props’ controversy

    Ahsan Khan has responded to the controversy surrounding the inclusion of animals “as props” on his talk show Time Out with Ahsan Khan.

    “Let me clarify. These rabbits are basically pets and the person who owns them brings them to the set,” said Ahsan, while speaking exclusively to The Current. “When they are on set, we make sure that they are well-fed and taken care of and are not facing any issues. They are not uncomfortable at all. The person whose pets they are keeps them indoors and they are very easy to play with.”

    “Araam say haathon main aa jaatay hain,” explained Khan.

    Khan further went onto share the segment has been inspired by the Hop Quiz on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.

    “Basically, this segment has been inspired by Hollywood’s The Tonight Show,” said Ahsan.

    The actor then said that being a pet lover he is very careful with the animals on set and cares for them.

    “I myself am a pet lover,” said Ahsan. “I have dogs at home. I have cats. I also have parrots and hens and they are all like my own children. We try to provide them with comfortable environments. So naturally, we are very careful with the animals – all of us on set.”

    He further said that after the show invited backlash for “using animals as props,” he and his producer decided to avoid it.

    “My producer and I thought that if this is hurting people and they are not liking it, then we can avoid it. So we have cut out the segment in the last three to four episodes we’ve recorded,” stated Ahsan, clarifying that the ones which included the animals were shot before.

    “Although this segment is one of my favourites because this is the only one in which we discuss general knowledge, which not only educates my guests but also those who are watching the show. Whoever gives a wrong answer has to hold the pet in their lap,” he shared. It is pertinent to add here that the male guests usually enjoy petting the animals but the female guests are scared of them and often jump around screaming when asked to hold them.

    “We on our end have been very careful with handling them, but if some people don’t like it then we, including my producers and all can apologise to them,” concluded Khan. “It’s a mutual thing. If something is not right, we should look into it.”

    Earlier, a Lahore-based law firm Crown Chambers had filed a complaint before the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) against Express Entertainment and the show for using animals as props.

    “The said segment on the TV show, subjecting a sentient living being, an animal, to unnecessary suffering is not only an offence under the law but a breach of the constitutionally guaranteed right to life under Art. 9 of the constitution, as laid down by Islamabad high court in Islamabad Wildfire Management board Vs Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad, cited in 2021 CLC 262,” read the complaint.

    It further said: “The format of the segment involves a series of questions and answers with known celebrities as guests, who if fail to answer properly, as a “punishment” or “penalty”, are required to hold an animal or at times required to pile several animals such as petrified rabbits/pigeons etc, on their laps, causing distress not only to the animals but to the guest at times as well.”

    “Morever, it has spread the message to masses through the said TV channel that projecteing such treatmeant onto animals is acceptable.”

    The inclusion of animals on Time Out with Ahsan Khan sparked outrage after a video of Maya Ali screaming and jumping around while being teased with the rabbits went viral on social media. She had appeared on the show with Bilal Ashraf.