Just last night, Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) surprised the Pakistani audience as they banned actor Hamza Ali Abbasi’s Ramazan transmission. The ban was imposed over violation of the media regulator’s code of conduct as Pemra found Hamza guilty of “promoting controversial and sectarian views.”
During his show, Ishq-e-Ramzan Hamza spoke against the oppression of Ahmedis and his comments offended hard line religious personalities; one of whom — Maulana Kokab Noorani, who then harshly criticised Hamza on another Ramzan transmission aired on TV One.
After these comments, both the TV channels received numerous complaints, which then led to a ban on both Ramzan transmissions.
In the world of social media, Twitter reacted against Pemra’s decision to punish Hamza for demanding equal rights for the minorities. In the end, everyone was just disappointed.
By banning both Hamza Ali Abbasi & Shabbir Abu Talib PEMRA may think its being fair. One questioned why we kill & the other incited to kill
— Jibran Nasir (@MJibranNasir) June 17, 2016
I truly sympathize with #HamzaAliAbbasi BUT If any of us were expecting a different outcome, we should really get our heads examined.
— Imran Jattala (@ijattala) June 17, 2016
Dear PEMRA, you meant Aamir Liaqat when you declared a ban on Hamza Ali Abbasi from Ramadan Transmission right?! #PleaseFixTheTypo
— Saadi Makhdoom (@saadimakhdoom) June 17, 2016
Might not agree with PEMRA on many things but one has to understand that they might have just saved Hamza Abbasi’s life by banning him.
— Maham Ali (@Mahamali05) June 17, 2016
Instead of charging Mullah under anti terror law for instigating murder, #PEMRA sharif banned #HamzaAliAbbasi .
Anna insaaf— Salman Sikandar (@SALSIKandar) June 17, 2016
Ban HateSpeech #PEMRA nt FreeSpeech Yor a regulator, use yr discretion @omar_quraishi @ReemaAbbasi @sarataseer @reportpemra @pemrapakistan
— Shaan Taseer (@ShaanTaseer) June 17, 2016
Islam teach us Tolerance,respect,minorities rights, love n peace #PEMRA Ban the only show that made sense #iStandwithHamza @iamhamzaabbasi
— Maryam Rizvi (@Mariiam_Rizvi) June 17, 2016