Staff Reporter
Islamabad
The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) has imposed a fine of Rs500,000 on Neo News for violating its law and codes by airing abusive and misogynistic remarks by writer-director Khalilur Rehman Qamar in one of its programmes earlier this year, it emerged on Friday.
The authority also issued a warning to the TV channel to strictly observe the laws and code of conduct in matters concerning gender and to adopt a strict policy in this regard.
While speaking during a talk show on Neo News on March 4 discussing the Aurat March that was scheduled to be held on March 8, Rehman had used abusive and misogynistic language against activist Marvi Sirmed, who was also a guest on the show.
He used expletives against Sirmed and termed the Aurat March slogan of “mera jism, meri marzi” (my body, my choice) as “obscene” and “vile”.
A number of high court lawyers subsequently filed complaints in Pemra’s Council of Complaints against the programme Aaj Ayesha Ehtesham Kay Sath.
All three complainants stated that Rehman abused Sirmed for chanting the slogan mera jism, meri marzi, calling his conduct “highly objectionable” and against Pemra laws.