Channel asked to apologise for airing remarks against Sarfraz

E-Paper | June 16, 2026

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) has directed the management of Samaa TV to tender an apology to Sarfraz Ahmed, the Pakistan cricket captain, and viewers over the airing of remarks by former cricketer Aamer Sohail against him during a programme, Mission Oval, before the final of the Champions Trophy.

“The management is directed to air the apology on June 25 in the prime time news bulletin,” said a Pemra press release.

The regulator also asked the channel to ensure that a text runs on the screen as well when the apology is aired.

The authority took the action upon a complaint made by the Pakistan Cricket Board against Samaa TV.

Pemra issued a show cause notice to the channel on June 20 and after hearing its reply on Friday, concluded that the words used by Aamer Sohail against Sarfraz Ahmed were in violation of the Electronic Media Code of Conduct 2015.

In order to avoid any further violation of the code of conduct, the channel has been advised to appoint an in-house committee to monitor content before it goes on air.

The regulatory authority also directed Samaa TV to install time-delay mechanism in order to avoid airing of any indecent or controversial content.

Published in Dawn, June 24th, 2017

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A Ali

Jun 24, 2017 08:07am

why the notice was not served then and there ... why only after we won the CUP .?

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Ali Siddiqui

Jun 24, 2017 08:13am

Grow up its cricket, channel can not be held responsible for wht Amir Sohail said on a live show

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Chak De India

Jun 24, 2017 08:23am

So much for "freedom of expression" in pakistan! -- everything is censored and controlled - P.A.T.H.E.T.I.C!

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Pendoo

Jun 24, 2017 08:25am

Lay it off now please. Enough is enough. We don't need to keep on repeating the same thing over and over again.

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fareed hussain

Jun 24, 2017 08:41am

a complete nonsense. why PEMRA has to act and not investigate on complaint so quickly. It was a view of a cricketer and also he had clarified his position. and to be honestly if we see the final Sarfraz didnt even bat so practically his only contribution in the final was behind the wicket. We should not forget the role the coach Mickey Arthur is playing to change the cricket mentality, and what about Fakhar Zaman who has taken the fear out of Pakistani cricketers that everyone has to perform to to his level otherwise they are more youngesters are waiting to replace old bunch............

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rana

Jun 24, 2017 09:05am

pemra never asked any one to tender apology for insulting pm of pakistan. why there is license to pass any remarks about pm of pakistan.

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anonymouseeee

Jun 24, 2017 09:38am

No matter what they say, Sarfraz is our HERO. Team GREEN for life.

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AMK US

Jun 24, 2017 09:47am

I strongly object to Amir sohail's statement but Sarfaraz is a big boy and can take this kind of statement. Additionally there is something called freedom of speech, whether we like it or not unless, it crosses extreme cases.

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SID

Jun 24, 2017 09:51am

I don't agree with what Aamer Sohail said but that is freedom of speech. What he said is extremely controversial and laughable indeed but so long as it was not abusive, there was no need to make such a big deal out of it for PEMRA to be demanding an apology. In fact, what greater ridicule for Aamer Sohail than to eat his own words after Pakistan won the Champions Trophy.

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Patriot

Jun 24, 2017 10:42am

Ban Amir Sohail from any further media appearances

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Abid Hussain

Jun 24, 2017 10:46am

Authorities must verified that what was the agenda behind this criticism and demotion...!

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Just saying

Jun 24, 2017 10:57am

Amir Sohail should be banned from ALL tv channels.

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AJK

Jun 24, 2017 11:23am

From today's cricket perspective, Sarfraz performance is above Amir's. Criticism come easier than craftsmanship. Amir should have acted as a big brother instead of stooping so low. The comments were absurd and timing dangerous.

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Ash20

Jun 24, 2017 11:23am

Means no live telecast by the channel. Not sure how can authorities punish a channel for one person comment and it may not be good comments but nothing too much.

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Hamid Azim

Jun 24, 2017 12:09pm

How seriously nonsensical is this. I'm not a Samaa viewer and frankly don't watch local news much but how can Pemra Chairman require the channel to apologise for a guest - well known previous cricketer - Aamir Sohail. This is total nonsense. Pemra while you are at it, please ask the websites all accessible over the internet that also criticised any Pakistani cricketer to apologise or be banned. Totally ludicrous. This is what happens when you put someone so unfit incharge of an important govt agency.

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syed

Jun 24, 2017 12:10pm

He has not only brought false allegation against Sarfaraz, but also against ICC and ECB. His follow up clarification was worse and hypocritical. He has tarnished the name of Javed Minded who can be seen stunned in the program. He should be banned from all TV programs for ten years

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asad

Jun 24, 2017 12:12pm

Apology not acceptable, Pemra should heavily fine this group of running comments detrimental not only to the individual but entire pakistan team

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Ali Hasan

Jun 24, 2017 12:16pm

He basically brought the man's integrity into disrepuute. I say sue them to the stone ages for libel.

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NKAli

Jun 24, 2017 01:06pm

American Sohail was an excellent opening left-handed batsman with his peer... Saeed Anwar. Both openly flouted their weaknesses to the bowlers and the result was both soon evaporated. Now after Sarfaraz has shown his leadership quality, it has become a heartburn that no antacid can cure. How can somebody from Karachi achieve the impossible and no one from Lahore has been able to manage such a victory in 25 years, is what is biting him and Waqar Younis. Maybe et al. It is spent forces like Waqar Younis and Amer Sohail who create divisions in cricket and come to the forefront through cajoling and cavorting.

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Sat

Jun 24, 2017 01:28pm

One day the news channels will broadcast the news and next day it will spend apologizing for the news. This is freedom of press.

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Muhammad

Jun 24, 2017 01:50pm

A very good initiative by PEMRA.... welldone.

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umair

Jun 24, 2017 02:00pm

very good initiative. media must obey ethics

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syed wasim haider

Jun 24, 2017 02:25pm

Better to keep Amir Sohail away from any TV program. He has a timid mindset.

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Abid Nasim

Jun 24, 2017 02:54pm

@fareed hussain Perhaps he had not batted in the Final, however, he has the captain's mind to turn the tables for Pakistan. It is pertinent to mention that sending Imad in the final overs was correct to deploy for left hand righthandcombination.

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Ebrahim

Jun 24, 2017 03:45pm

Sarfaraz has done a great job, but everybody has a right to give his view which he think is correct, nothing to apologize

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M. Siddique

Jun 24, 2017 06:09pm

It should not be a big deal if people have said stuff critical of Sarfraz. He has proven them wrong. Move on because people have right express their opinions. I think Shoab Malik should be axed from the team.

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reality bites

Jun 24, 2017 06:19pm

Apology demand, a step in a right direction. Lately everyone and anyone is an expert in matters from national security to cricket. Personal statements against any individual don't qualify as freedom of speech but is rather a cheap talk

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Nadeem

Jun 24, 2017 07:00pm

@A Ali ofcourse it wad done timely. But a fair opportunity of hearing takes 21 days to decide. 14 days to reply Show Cause and then a personal hearing within 7 days & then decidion/ penalty. Dair Aad Darust Aayed.

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rathorew

Jun 24, 2017 07:09pm

This is nonsense. I totally disagree with what Aamer Sohail said, but we cannot stifle freedom of speech on such a flimsy basis. Criticizing a cricketer does not threaten the country in any way. PEMRA is going after Aamer's stupid remarks, and ignoring the hateful conversations that are heard every day on so many "religious" channels. The latter encourage suicide bombings, sectarian threats, and other actions that are indeed a danger to the integrity of the country, and should be a greater priority for PEMRA.

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Wheresismylovelyone

Jun 25, 2017 04:02pm

@A Ali no notices anywhere..

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Mithidada

Jun 26, 2017 12:22am

Directing the channel to air an apology is not the solution. The solution is to have effective libel laws and a judicial system that enforces such laws.

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Tanveer

Jun 26, 2017 01:58am

most of the cricket experts doesn't possess mastery in their cricket careers. :)

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Raza

Jun 26, 2017 10:03am

@Chak De India - Look who is talking. For your information, India is MUCH MORE worst when comes to freedom of expressions. Remember when Aamir Khan spoke about lack of freedom of expression and atmosphere in India and the orange clad mobs were out in full force. Just to show you the picture, you might want to check out the stats in your country. https://thewire.in/131167/for-india-a-year-of-shrinking-liberty/

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