KARACHI: Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) on Monday issued a show cause notice to a private news channel for airing 'inappropriate' and 'immoral' comments by Qandeel Baloch, a self-styled social media personality, regarding Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

"As is noticed that on May 1 2016, 5:58PM, SAMAA television aired a woman Qandeel Baloch's inappropriate and immoral comments about the elected prime minister which is a violation of the Pemra code of conduct as airing such views about anyone is not permitted," reads the notice.

The notice, undersigned by Pemra's general manager operations has ordered SAMAA television to appear before the authority and explain its position regarding the issue by May 17.

Related: Who is Qandeel Baloch and what is she doing on my timeline?

The document further states that the act not only displays the irresponsibility of the channel's management but the inefficacy of their time-delay mechanism adding that Pemra has repeatedly cautioned channels' management and supervisory committees about the airing of abusive language but to no avail.

It is pertinent to note here that Baloch arrived at Lahore’s Mall Road to participate in the anti-corruption rally organised by Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI).

Though the lady was not allowed inside the venue, apparently over her announcement to propose PTI chief Imran Khan, she talked to a number of news channel reporters but only SAMAA aired her comments about Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

Qandeel Baloch, whose Facebook page describes her as a woman who 'had first entertained herself' was among the most searched people in Pakistan according to 2015 Google Trends.

Opinion

Editorial

Hasty transition
Updated 05 May, 2024

Hasty transition

Ostensibly, the aim is to exert greater control over social media and to gain more power to crack down on activists, dissidents and journalists.
One small step…
05 May, 2024

One small step…

THERE is some good news for the nation from the heavens above. On Friday, Pakistan managed to dispatch a lunar...
Not out of the woods
05 May, 2024

Not out of the woods

PAKISTAN’S economic vitals might be showing some signs of improvement, but the country is not yet out of danger....
Rigging claims
Updated 04 May, 2024

Rigging claims

The PTI’s allegations are not new; most elections in Pakistan have been controversial, and it is almost a given that results will be challenged by the losing side.
Gaza’s wasteland
04 May, 2024

Gaza’s wasteland

SINCE the start of hostilities on Oct 7, Israel has put in ceaseless efforts to depopulate Gaza, and make the Strip...
Housing scams
04 May, 2024

Housing scams

THE story of illegal housing schemes in Punjab is the story of greed, corruption and plunder. Major players in these...