has admitted to an editorial lapse in its 10th Muharram broadcast titled “Safar-e-Ishq,” clarifying that the aired footage did not represent its editorial stance or respect the widely accepted religious beliefs and sensitivities of the Muslim Ummah. The channel emphasized that this clarification aims to acknowledge the error candidly, outline corrective measures, and reaffirm its commitment to preventing such incidents in the future.
The network fully accepts the mistake, describing it as a serious editorial error that was neither intentional nor reflective of its institutional values. expressed sincere regret over the broadcast, highlighting that the matter touches on deeply held religious and emotional beliefs within the organization.
Upon recognizing the error internally, the content was promptly removed before any external complaint or intervention. This swift action underscores the channel’s internal sense of responsibility rather than a reaction to outside pressure.
Accountability measures were immediately implemented, including issuing show-cause notices to the reporter and editorial committee members responsible for the oversight. A formal inquiry was launched, and strict disciplinary actions are underway in accordance with the channel’s policies.
To prevent recurrence, has enhanced its editorial approval processes by introducing additional review layers, stronger supervision, and more rigorous compliance checks. These steps aim to minimize the risk of similar mistakes going forward.
The channel highlighted its longstanding dedication to promoting Islamic knowledge and values, citing initiatives such as pioneering religious pages in its publications, launching Aalim Online, and producing special programming for significant Islamic occasions like Hajj, Rabi-ul-Awwal, and Muharram. This history reflects ’ genuine commitment to serving its audience’s religious interests with sincerity and respect.
urged that this isolated incident should not overshadow its years of responsible and sincere efforts in fostering religious understanding among millions of viewers. While acknowledging that human error is an unfortunate reality in a 24-hour news environment with thousands of editorial decisions daily, the channel stressed that such errors are never an excuse. Instead, the true test lies in how an organization responds—by acknowledging mistakes immediately, correcting them, holding those responsible accountable, and strengthening systems to avoid repetition.
The broadcaster reaffirmed its institutional culture of accountability, openly admitting errors, conducting thorough investigations, and continuously improving editorial standards. Transparency, it stated, is essential to maintaining public trust, encouraging a culture where mistakes are honestly admitted and addressed rather than concealed.
Notably, as the most widely viewed Urdu news channel globally, accepts the heightened scrutiny that comes with its reach. It recognizes that even minor errors attract significant attention and embraces this responsibility to uphold transparency and accountability.
In response to the incident, reiterated that the controversial footage depicted certain rituals practiced by a limited number of people in Iraq and other Middle Eastern countries. The channel clarified that the material was never intended to represent, endorse, or promote any broader religious viewpoint, nor was it produced with any deliberate agenda contrary to Islamic values. The content was removed promptly once the issue was identified, and corrective actions were taken against those involved.
Before public backlash escalated, had already aired clarifications and an apology, expressing regret for any distress caused and reaffirming its dedication to maintaining the highest standards of religious respect.
In a significant development, the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) issued a notice to , ordering a 15-day suspension of its transmission across satellite and all other networks. PEMRA directed its Complaints Council to hear the matter further and recommend additional regulatory measures as necessary.
