The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has imposed a fine of Rs2 lakh on the Neo TV channel for airing inappropriate comments about female cricketers. The comments were made by former cricketer Abdul Razzaq on Noman Ijaz’s talk show ‘G Sarkar’ about star Pakistani cricketer Nida Dar.
The video clip of the program, which was originally aired on June 5, caught social media’s attention in July, drawing criticism for Abdul Razzaq.
“When they (women) become cricketers, they want to reach the level of a men’s team. They want to prove that not only men, they can also achieve everything, so those feelings (of getting married) disappear,” Abdul Razzaq had said.
He further said that if you shake hands with Nida Dar, her hands won’t feel feminine at all. The show host, Wafa Butt also implied that women players quit as soon as they get married.
After the clips from the show became viral, leading tennis player Aisam-ul-Haq lodged a complaint under Section 26 of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Ordinance 2002 against Neo TV for broadcasting inappropriate comments about Nida Dar through Barrister Khadija Siddiqui.
The complaint stated that highly derogatory, insulting and inappropriate comments were made about female cricketer Nida Dar in the show.
The matter was hence raised at the 109th meeting of the Council of Complaints. Barristers Khadija Siddiqui and Murad Khan Marwat appeared before the council on behalf of Aisam-ul-Haq.
Barrister Khadija Siddiqui highlighted that the comments made in the show violated Articles 19, 14, 9, 4 and 25 of the Constitution of Pakistan, Defamation Ordinance, 2002, Article 4 (7) C, 23, 20 and 24 of the Electronic Media Code of Conduct and Article 5 of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.
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The council, while issuing the decision, recommended imposing a fine of Rs 500,000 on the channel and seeking an unconditional apology from the complainant and Nida Dar.
Later, a fine of Rs. 200,000 was imposed on the private channel Neo TV for making inappropriate and insulting remarks against Nida Dar by PEMRA.
After the decision, the chairman of the council said that the decision sends a clear message that statements based on sexism and hatred of women are not acceptable.
“They amount to discrimination and thus violate the code of conduct and the constitution of Pakistan. Women from all fields have the right to respect and dignity,” said the chairman.
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