Council of Complaints (CoC) Sindh of Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) in its 42nd meeting recommended a fine of Rs300,000 on Samaa television for making baseless allegations against Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

The CoC which met at Pemra office with Prof Inam Bari in chair made these recommendations after hearing Samaa TV's representative, said a statement issued by the authority.

Election Commission of Pakistan through its counsels had lodged a complaint with Pemra against Samaa TV with regard to airing of baseless allegations.

On the occasion, the complainant's legal team asked the Bureau Chief of Samaa TV Khalid Azeem, who was also present in the hearing, to produce evidence in support of the allegations. However, he was unable to do so.

After listening to both sides, the council recommended a fine of Rs300,000 on Samaa TV.

The council also recommended that the TV channel should air an apology in the same manner and magnitude to its viewers and run tickers about the said content aired.

CoC to hear complaints against Bol on Feb 10

Complaints by chief of the JUI-F Maulana Fazlur Rehman and Finance Minister Ishaq Dar against Aamir Liaquat and Dr Shahid Masood respectively of Bol News regarding baseless allegations against the parliamentarians were deferred for another date on the request of the Labbaik (Pvt) Ltd (Bol News) counsel.

The counsel after arguing for an hour said he was not feeling well and requested for another date to complete his arguments.

The CoC granted Bol News another opportunity to defend its case and fixed Feb 10, 2017, as the next date of hearing.