JournalismPakistan.com | Published November 04, 2016 | Imran Naeem Ahmad
Join our WhatsApp channel
ISLAMABAD – Just when it seemed things had finally begun to go right for BOL News, they are going wrong somewhat, somewhere.
After more than a year of troubles that saw the channel’s CEO and his senior managers languish in jail, the start of BOL pre-test transmission last month came as good news.
However, more than two weeks later, the screen appears to reflect the problems behind scene. Non-professionals from Axact, the company that provides fuel to BOL, are reportedly running the show, claims a senior journalist.
Others in the know point out many journalists and other staff, part of the first aborted BOL attempt to go on air, have not been taken back as promised.
To compound matters, there were reports Thursday that senior anchors Dr Aamir Liaquat Hussain and Mubasher Lucman had quit. The two have conspicuously remained off screen since Wednesday.
This week, a senior producer, who stood by BOL throughout their time of distress, was fired reportedly for not behaving properly with some new staff members. Besides, a promise to pay staff their outstanding dues has not been honored.
But a senior BOL insider Friday refuted reports of Dr Aamir and Lucman having quit. “There is no truth in such reports,” he told JournalismPakistan.com.
He did point to some problems the management was having with Dr. Aamir, who wanted to bring his entire team along. “This is not acceptable to the management and it is not our policy,” he said. “The ball is in his court, he has to decide if he wants to stay or leave.”
The doc of Aalim Online fame is presently in Dubai and will return in a few days.
Lucman, the source said was a valuable senior who had helped build BOL and there were just no issues. “He will be doing his show from Lahore.”
The source pointed out that the senior producer Faraz Wajid had to leave for he shouted at new staff members that mostly comprise fresh journalism graduates. “BOL policy does not allow for such behavior.”
He also dismissed reports of unprofessional staff running the show. “This is not true. It has to be understood we are in a pre-test transmission phase. We are slowly bringing back staffers who were with us previously and things are only going to get better.”
The insider also clarified BOL remained committed to honor its promise of calling back members of its original team and paying them five months of outstanding salaries along with interest.
“We are contacting the old staffers, but the problem is most of them are employed somewhere and would need some time to rejoin us.”
However, despite the problems here and there, BOL is sticking to its target of a formal launch before the year ends. “The launch will be this year and we are geared towards achieving that goal.”
BOL ran into trouble in May 2015 when it was first about to hit the airwaves. A story in The New York Times claimed that Axact, the parent company of BOL, was involved in selling fake degrees and diplomas.
Subsequently, BOL and Axact CEO Shoaib Shaikh and several of his senior team members were arrested. They were in jail for 15 months before being granted bail.
An additional sessions judge last month dismissed the fake degrees case for lack of enough evidence. The 26 accused were all acquitted.
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.