PTV bans ‘harassed’ anchors

Islamabad: State-run Pakistan Television (PTV) on Tuesday issued a notification announcing a ban on two of its female anchors who alleged harassment at office.

The PTV claimed that the anchors had defamed the organisation as the two took to social media and talk shows to discuss alleged harassment.

Female anchors Tanzeela Mazhar and Yashfeen Jamal had complained against a male employee, Agha Masood Shorish, who they claimed made alleged sexual advances towards them.

Later, they spoke about the issue on the social media. The PTV management issued a circular stating that the employees of the organisation were commenting on social media about the matters that were currently being inquired into officially.

“Such comments must be removed or deleted within 24 hours of issuance of the circular, failing which strict disciplinary action will be taken,” the circular read.

The two anchors, however, did not follow the instructions by the management and also talked about the matter on a talk show of a local news channel.

 A notice was issued by PTVs controller, current affairs, Habibur Rehman stating that both anchors were “banned with immediate effect” from the channel.

The notice said that organisation could not afford such insulting and defamatory behaviour by anchors despite an internal inquiry being carried out officially.

According to the notice, an internal inquiry is being led by a female officer of the information ministry who has the authority of a judicial magistrate.