Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) on Monday barred televangelist and talk show host Aamir Liaquat from hosting his Ramazan show 'Inam Ghar' for three days on Geo Entertainment, said a statement released by the regulatory authority.

The regulatory authority had issued a show cause notice after the June 6 episode, which showed a reenactment by the show's host of a girl committing suicide, stated the Pemra statement.

The episode aired also had a guest who used abusive language while on air. Show cause notice was issued on June 14, added the statement.

During the June 25 transmission of the show, a female caller's inappropriate phone call was also reviewed by the regulatory authority.

A member from Pemra's Council of Complaints, also shared a video of Liaquat hugging a pole while singing a song.

Pemra said it had received hundreds of complaints from viewers, after which they took action. Representative from Geo Entertainment has sought 15 days to submit a detailed reply regarding the many complaints recieved during the show's transmission.

The council has directed for a reply to be submitted by the third day after Eid holidays. After the submission of the reply, further action will be debated upon.

As an initial step, the Council of Compliants, due to Geo's continued violation of the code of conduct, recommended suspension of the transmission of the show from June 28 to June 30, said the Pemra statement.

The channel has been advised to apologise for airing non-professional content which hurt the sentiments of the viewers, added the regulatory authority's statement. Liaquat has also been asked to issue a personal apology during the July 1 transmission of his show.

"In case of contempt of the order or no apology, the show will suspended indefinitely," stated Pemra in the statement.

"On the recommendations of the council, the relevant authority under Section 27 has advised Geo to suspend the transmission, and to ensure Amir Liaquat apologises in the beginning of July 1 transmission," added the statement.

Past bans

Earlier in June, Pemra had barred actor Hamza Ali Abbasi and TV show host Shabbir Abu Talib from hosting their Ramazan shows on Aaj TV and News One respectively.

Pemra said that it had received 1,133 complaints through Whatsapp, Twitter and telephone calls regarding the transmissions.

The regulatory authority had also announced a ban on shows dramatising crimes such as rape, murder, robberies and suicide.

Addressing a press conference, Pemra chairman Absar Alam had said that the authority has decided to ban such shows which re-enact crimes such as murders and suicide, and those that raid places in the name of investigative journalism.

The authority had stated it was forming a code of conduct and rules and regulations, which will soon be issued to the channels.

Pemra had also directed TV and Radio channels to "immediately stop" airing advertisements marketing contraceptives and family planning products, according to a notification issued to all media organisations in May.

The ban on contraceptives and family planning products was lifted a day later.

Geo Entertainment channel had received a show cause notice earlier this week for airing inappropriate content including ‘suicide scenes’ during its programme and has ordered the channel to explain its position before the authority on June 21.

Hum TV's child abuse drama 'Udaari' was also served a notice by Pemra, which asked for explanation of a couple of scenes in the May 8 episode of the drama series.