JournalismPakistan.com | Published February 04, 2017
Join our WhatsApp channel
ISLAMABAD – Aamir Liaquat, host of BOL News program Aisay Nahi Chalay Ga continued his scathing attacks on bitter rival Geo Friday exposing what goes on within the news organization and the differences between its journalists.
Much to the chagrin of journalists targeted in the show, the host also openly questioned Geo-Jang Group head Mir Shakilur Rehman on a number of issues, without actually naming him.
After a PEMRA ban on Liaquat and his program that was quickly overturned by the Sindh High Court, he appeared with all guns blazing Friday, starting off by discussing celebrations at the group following its legal victory against ARY.
He called on the boss of what he says is the Neela Peela (Blue and Yellow) channel (Geo) to face cases pending in Pakistani courts instead of celebrating what was achieved in distant Britain.
The Jang Group ran massive headlines and stories Friday in its publications announcing the court’s decision and that of British media regulator Ofcom which shut down all six of ARY channels there.
ARY had run 24 programs in UK, targeting Mir Shakil Rehman, found to be seriously defamatory. The court ruled ARY pay £3 million to Rehman in damages and costs.
Liaquat aired clips of protests being held against Geo for being anti-state and committing blasphemy, and urged Rehman to address these issues at home.
Moving on, he showed clips of former Group Editor of The News, Shaheen Sebhai, who said there was not much balanced journalism at Jang Group. He also revealed the practice of changes being made to the newspaper’s content after the “editors had gone home.”
Later in the show, Liaquat focused on Ansar Abbasi, Editor Investigation at The News, Syed Talat Hussain whom he called ‘Naya Baba’ and Najam Sethi (Chiri Baba) - all speaking against one another in some old clips aired during the program.
These showed Talat revealing Sethi’s famed ‘chiriya’ (birdie) was property tycoon Malik Riaz while Sethi in turn accusing him of reporting for a foreign organization that is a front of CIA.
Sethi and Talat have filed complaints with regulator PEMRA against Liaquat and his program for hate speech and incitement to violence.
On January 26 PEMRA briefly banned Aisay Nahi Chalay Ga before the Sindh High Court overturned it. BOL went ahead and aired the program the day the ban was imposed, prompting the regulator to issue a show cause notice to the channel.
April 30, 2025: Freedom of expression in Pakistan is under threat, as the 2025 Freedom Network report reveals increased arrests, censorship, and legal restrictions following amendments to PECA, posing serious risks to journalists and democratic values.
April 30, 2025: Dawn has criticized the Indian media's calls for war and condemned the banning of 16 Pakistani YouTube channels, urging a rational response after the Pahalgam attack that left 26 dead.
April 28, 2025: India has banned 16 Pakistani YouTube channels, including major news outlets and individual journalists, following the deadly Pahalgam attack. Tensions escalate as Islamabad demands a neutral probe.
April 23, 2025: Pakistani journalists respond in unison to a post hinting at a possible Indian military strike. Citing the 2019 ‘Swift Retort,’ they warn of a stronger response if provoked again.
April 21, 2025: After being expelled from PTI, MNA Sher Afzal Marwat launches personal attacks on journalists and Aleema Khan, sparking outrage on social media over his offensive remarks.
April 21, 2025: Journalist Sanaullah Khan reveals that the FIA has launched a financial crackdown on YouTubers by freezing the bank accounts of journalists and their family members—raising serious concerns over freedom of expression and legal process.
April 20, 2025: Dr. Nauman Niaz launched his fifteenth book, In A Different Realm: Story of Quadruple and Triple Centuries 1876–2025, at an elegant Islamabad event, reflecting on cricket’s rarest feats and his journey as a scholar of the game.
April 11, 2025: Sindhi journalist AD Shar was brutally murdered in Khairpur, Sindh. His body was found dumped on Handiyari Link Road. PFUJ has declared a three-day mourning period and demanded justice.
April 23, 2025 Discover Dr. Nauman Niaz’s In A Different Realm: Story of Quadruple & Triple Centuries 1876–2025, a profound exploration of cricket's most monumental innings, blending historical analysis with poetic narrative.
April 22, 2025 Once a beacon of hope for Pakistan's cricket revival, the Pakistan Super League now grapples with stagnation and moral compromises. Can this cultural symbol reclaim its lost soul?
April 21, 2025 An Italian newspaper, Il Foglio, successfully published a month-long AI-written insert and praised its irony and analytical abilities, while affirming that AI will complement—not replace—quality journalism.
April 03, 2025 The International Press Institute (IPI) and International Media Support (IMS) invite nominations for the 2025 World Press Freedom Hero and Free Media Pioneer Awards. Recognizing courageous journalists and innovative media, the awards will be presented at IPI’s 75th-anniversary World Congress in Vienna. Submit your nominations by April 30, 2025.
April 01, 2025 Photojournalist Suresh Rajak was burned alive while covering a violent protest in Kathmandu. The IFJ and its affiliates condemn the attack and call for an urgent investigation to hold the perpetrators accountable.