The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) has issued a show-cause notice to Bol News for comments made by one Sadiq Taqvi in the 'Aisay Nahi Chalay Ga' programme aired on June 27, 2017.

The regulator believes the comments 'cast aspersions' against a serving Army officer posted in a war zone and exposed his identity, which is "a violation of the Pemra Code of Conduct, the National Action Plan and operation Raddul Fasaad."

Further, Pemra has complained that comments made by another guest in the programme, Hasan Zaffar Naqvi, cast "false and frivolous allegations against Pemra, mentioning therein that Pemra had imposed a ban on the coverage of the agitation/sit-in [after the] Parachinar terrorist incident by the private TV channels."

"Airing of both the comments amounts to hate speech and was a willful attempt to incite hatred and violence against the officers of armed forces and Pemra, who represent the state of Pakistan," the regulator has alleged.

The regulator has directed the Bol News management to file a reply explaining their position within seven working days.

Moreover, the channel's CEO has been summoned for a personal hearing along with evidence "of these life threatening allegations" on July 18, 2017.

"In case of failure to file [a] reply within [the] stipulated time and non appearance for personal hearing, the Authority shall have the right to initiate ex-parte proceedings," Pemra has warned.