LAHORE: The Pakistan Electronic Media Authority (Pemra) has imposed a fine of Rs500,000 on a TV channel for airing allegedly insensitive, demeaning and derogatory remarks of actress Iman Ali about the transgender community.

The council of complaints [Pemra] passed the order on a complaint filed by transperson Nisha Rao, who was represented by Advocate Khadija Siddiqui.

The complainant contended that the actress appeared as guest in an entertainment programme and uttered derogatory remarks.

After hearing point of view of the complainant and the channel, ARY, the council headed by Advocate Ahmad Pansota unanimously found the remarks of the actress insensitive and derogatory.

In its decision issued on Thursday, the council said airing of such remarks was in violation of the Pemra’s code besides other laws.

In addition to the fine, the council also directed the television channel to air an unconditional apology to the complainant and transgender community as a whole.

The channel was also directed to refrain from giving airtime to any guest speaker with a history of making insensitive remarks about the transgender community.

Published in Dawn, August 13th, 2021