ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) sent a notice to NewsOne on Saturday for airing a heated verbal exchange – including censored words/phrases – between JUI-F Senator Hafiz Hamdullah and female analyst Marvi Sirmed on June 10.

The body called for, "an explanation defending the decision to air the exchange," by June 17, or the news organisation could face a fine of Rs one million or cancellation of the talk show.

The notice, a copy of which is available with Dawn.com, accuses the talk show host of “not exercising control over the guests”.

“The threats and insults were deliberately allowed to escalate to the point that Hafiz Hamdullah may have physically attacked Marvi Sirmed had another guest not intervened,” said Pemra in its notice.

“This was extremely irresponsible, insulting and unprofessional behaviour, and clips of the episode make it clear that this was done on purpose to score cheap ratings at the expense of the dignity of the guests, which is contrary to journalistic ethics.”

The show in question was debating an upsurge in honour killings in Pakistan when Senator Hamdullah lost his cool at Sirmed for what he believed was her support for the comments of Barrister Masroor – a panelist in the programme – over a lack of reaction from the Council Of Islamic Ideology on these killings.

Pemra also noted that the “show was recorded rather than broadcast live”, which indicated that the “abuse was deliberately allowed to air”.

“It is clear the sole purpose of this [incident] was to provoke and inflame.”

Pemra also notified the channel its broadcast will be suspended unless it proves to the authority by June 17 it has a time-delay system and an editorial committee in place.