Case Update Status

Show Champions League is still banned because fine was not paid

Summary of Case

"On Jan 20, 2020 The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) imposed a ban on the programme “Champions Show” and its host “Waqar Zaka” for airing “objectionable” content. PEMRA also slapped a fine of Rs1 million on the TV channel.

PEMRA’s counsel submitted that the host of the programme had indulged in an inappropriate and vulgar conversation with female participants; indecent and improper activities were performed by the participants in the programme; PEMRA had received hundreds of complaints against the programme; and complaints had also been submitted to the Prime Minister Citizen’s Portal.

Waqar Zaka in a statement said PEMRA’s argument of banning the show on a religious basis is invalid as showing romance on television is also “un-religious”. PEMRA could have said the public has complained, Zaka said, but added that the show was trending on number 1 so the public did not have a problem.

Bol TV appealed in IHC and programme host Waqar Zaka challenged the PEMRA’s decision before the Islamabad High Court (IHC) which was rejected on April 20, 2020. The case was heard by Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb.

The counsel for BOL TV in the case argued before the court that the TV channel aired a reality show called Champions hosted by Mr. Zaka. According to him, in the said show a group of participants live together in a controlled environment. The participants perform tasks that challenge their physical and mental strength and that the said show is popular among the youth.

Justice Aurangzeb, however, set aside PEMRA’s order of banning the host of the programme and allowed him to appear in any other television programme.

On 10th April, 2021 while Speaking to PPF Director News (DN) of Bol News Mr. Shahid Jatoi said that the show “Champions League” is still banned on Television however the ban on host of the show Mr. Waqar Zaka was removed."

Category of Incident

Censorship

ICCS Status

ICCS Divisions: 0803-Acts related to freedom of expression or control of expression

ICCS Group: 08039-Other acts related to freedom of expression or control of expression

ICCS Class: N/A

ICCS Crime: Acts related to freedom of expression or control of expression

Reported By

Dawn

Date of incident

20

Month

January

Year

2020

Name of affected person

Waqar Zaka

Other affected persons

No other person affected

Name of affected organization

Bol news

Other affected organizations

No other organization affected

Action by

Pakistan electronic Media Authority (PEMRA)

City

Nationwide

Province

Nationwide

Designation

Show host

Professional category

Showbiz Host

Age of victim

30 Years

Marital Status

Compensation Details

Amount of compensation announced by government: No compensation announced

Date of compensation announcement by government: N/A

Date of compensation paid by government: N/A

Amount of compensation announced by others: No compensation Announced

Date of compensation announced by others: N/A

Date compensation paid by others: N/A

FIR Details

Was FIR registered ?: No

Court Details

Was case investigated ?: Case Closed

Court where case was presented: Islamabad High Court

Name of prosecuting lawyer: Not available

Date of first court hearing:

Date of last court hearing:

Status of court case: Case closed

Journalist Union Status

PFUJ

N/A

APNS

N/A

CPNE

N/A

PBA

N/A

Media Source Status

Media reports:

Condemn Status

Colleague of victim

N/A

Employer organization

Director News (DN) BOL Mr. Shahid jatio

Press Club Status

Press club 1: Not required to contact

Press club 2: Not required to contact

Press club 3: Not required to contact