The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) on Saturday issued one million Pakistani rupees fine order to a private television channel – Channel 24 News – for airing a programme on Prime Minister Imran Khan’s marital life claiming that his relations with his wife Bushra Bibi has soured.
Former Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Najam Sethi, in his programme ‘Najam Sethi ke Sath’ which was aired on March 30 on Channel 24 News, had disclosed that serious differences have developed between Khan and his third wife over his activities. Sethi, in his prime time programme, had also claimed that the marriage might not remain intact like Khan’s previous two marriages.
Following which, Khan approached the Council of Complaints of the PEMRA against airing of the programme by the channel.
The Authority, after hearing Khan’s complaint, ordered the channel to “deposit Rs 1 million (Rs 10 lakh) as fine in favour of PEMRA within seven days of the issue of the order.”
The authority also directed the channel to air an apology within seven days through its same prime time programme to its audience in the same magnitude as the allegations were aired.
The decision was taken under the terms outlined in Clause 18 of the Electronic Media (Programmes and Advertisements) Code of Conduct 2015, Pemra stated in its notification.
