Renowned TV host Aftab Iqbal recently discussed the incident when his satirical show was taken off air by the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) in 2022.
In a video shared by journalist Murtaza Ali Shah, Iqbal revealed that the former Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General (r) Qamar Javed Bajwa, was the reason behind his show being pulled off air. According to Iqbal, he created a parody song featuring visuals related to General Bajwa, which upset the former COAS and led to the show being taken off air.
Iqbal acknowledged that had it not been for that particular parody, his show would never have been removed from the airwaves.
In 2022, Iqbal took to social media to criticize the move, calling PEMRA a tool of a “fascist imported government” that could not tolerate justified criticism. He expressed his frustration, stating that his program, known for its satirical content, had been forced off air, questioning whether this was democracy or a worse form of fascism. He vowed to challenge the decision on all available platforms.
The decision to remove Iqbal’s show sparked a response from various journalists, politicians, and activists, who urged the government to reconsider the action, emphasizing the importance of freedom of expression.
