Pakistan's notice to TV channel for airing tribute to Asha Bhosle

Pakistan's media regulator has issued a notice to a major TV channel after it paid tribute to Asha Bhosle, the legendary singer who passed away in Mumbai on Sunday.

The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA), which is responsible for regulating private electronic media, sent a show cause notice to Geo TV for airing content related to the late singer.

According to Dawn, PEMRA's notice charged the broadcaster with wilfully defying Pakistan Supreme Court's order banning Indian content on TV channels. In 2018, Pakistan's Supreme Court had ordered a ban on airing Indian content on TV channels, arguing that it damages local culture.

Azhar Abbas, Managing Director of Geo News Urdu, condemned the regulator's move, adding that art and artists should "not become casualties in times of war &



conflict."

"It has always been customary to revisit and celebrate the work of iconic artists when reporting on them. In fact, for an artist of Asha Bhosle’s stature, we should have shared even more of her timeless and memorable songs than we did," he wrote on 'X'.

He also recalled Bhosale's long association with Pakistani artists and said that art should not be confined by borders.

"She herself admired Pakistan’s legendary singer Noor Jahan, whom she fondly called her “elder sister.” She collaborated with Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and brought to life the poetry of great Urdu poets like Nasir Kazmi," he wrote.

The legendary singer was cremated with full state honours in Mumbai on Monday, as political leaders, family members and thousands of fans gathered to bid her a final farewell.