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Lahore13 april. Pakistan’s media regulatory body on Monday issued a ‘show cause notice’ to a leading news channel Geo News for running ‘Indian content’ while broadcasting the news of the death of legendary Indian singer Asha Bhosle. The ban on Indian content in Pakistan has been in effect since 2018.

The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has issued a show cause notice to Geo News seeking an explanation as to why it aired Indian content along with the news of Bhosale’s death. This leading news channel is considered close to the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz government and the military establishment.

Azhar Abbas, managing director of Geo News, said in a post on ‘X’, ‘While reporting about eminent artists, it has always been a tradition to remember and appreciate their works. In fact, for an artiste like Asha Bhosle, we should have shared more of her timeless and memorable songs. Yet, Pakistan’s electronic media regulator has chosen to ban it.’

Abbas said art, like knowledge, is the common heritage of humanity and should not be restricted by boundaries. Asha Bhosle herself was a fan of legendary Pakistani singer Noorjahan, whom she affectionately called her ‘elder sister’. He, along with Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, brought alive the poems of great Urdu poets like Nasir Kazmi.

PEMRA said that JioNews’ airing of Indian songs and scenes from Indian films while broadcasting the news of Bhosale’s death was a deliberate violation of the Supreme Court of Pakistan ruling banning the telecast of Indian content.