Standing committee summons Dr Aamir, BOL managers

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 7 December 2016

The National Assembly Standing Committee on Rules of Procedure has summoned Aamir Liaquat and BOL managers for alleged baseless accusations. The committee expressed concern over media conduct regarding parliamentarians.

Summary

ISLAMABAD – The National Assembly Standing Committee on Rules of Procedure and Privileges has summoned BOL News anchor Aamir Liaquat Hussain and the channel’s management for hurling what it said were “baseless allegations” against JUI (F) head Maulana Fazlur Rehman.

The committee members said targeting parliamentarians had become an easy thing to do for the media. Some channels were creating despair, they said.

It was decided that if Dr Aamir, who hosts the program Aisay Nahin Chalay Ga, was unable to furnish proof in the committee’s next meeting, he would be blacklisted.

Chairman PEMRA, Absar Alam told the meeting freedom of press was a constitutional right but if this was wrongly used, it should be checked.

He said in order to prevent media making allegations without proof, suggested amendments to the PEMRA constitution have been sent to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Among these is a recommendation to increase fines for such violations.

PEMRA has been asked to brief the committee on the proposed amendments in detail in the next meeting.

Related post:

Aisay Nahin Chalay Ga - BOL begins to talk aloud

KEY POINTS:

• Dr Aamir summoned for baseless allegations against Maulana Fazlur Rehman.
• PEMRA chairman emphasizes need for responsible media reporting.
• Failure to provide proof may result in blacklisting of Dr Aamir.
• Proposed amendments to PEMRA constitution aim to curb false allegations.
• Committee to review proposed amendments in next meeting.