Information ministry moves Pemra against broadcast of Bol

[Devil Soul]

Information ministry moves Pemra against broadcast of Bol
DAWN.COM | MATEEN HAIDER — PUBLISHED 27 minutes ago

The logos of Pakistani software company Axact and its newly launched TV Channel Bol are seen in Karachi, Pakistan, May 27, 2015. — Reuters
ISLAMABAD: The federal information ministry wrote a letter to Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) Thursday, asking it not to broadcast BOL TV channel till completion of investigation into the degree scam by Axact — the parent company of the upcoming television and newspaper group.

"A letter has been sent to Pemra to stop Bol's transmission on a temporary basis," Federal Information Secretary Muhammad Azam told DawnNews via telephone.

A detailed NYT report titled "Fake Diplomas, Real Cash: Pakistani Company Axact Reaps Millions" and written by New York Times Pakistan bureau chief Declan Walsh had outlined how Axact — referred to as a "secretive Pakistani software company" — allegedly earned millions of dollars from scams involving fake degrees, non-existent online universities and manipulation of customers.

According to the report, Axact created a series of fake websites involving “professors” and students who it said were in fact paid actors.

On Wednesday, a First Information Report (FIR) was registered against seven individuals including Axact director and CEO Shoaib Ahmed Shaikh as well as a UAE-based company.

Take a look: FIR registered against Axact CEO, six others in fake degree scam

The individuals named in the FIR were subsequently arrested and are in FIA remand until June 7.

The arrests came after an FIA raid on the Axact office on Khayaban-e-Ittehad, where officials said a large number of university degrees and student identification cards were recovered.

Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan had earlier assured that the ministry will not bear pressure from any individual regarding investigation of the Axact scandal. He added that the investigation will be fair and transparent in this regard.

Know more: Nisar vows transparent investigation of Axact fake degree scam

Earlier on Monday, the Interior Ministry of Pakistan along with the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) wrote a letter to the US agency Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) seeking legal assistance to further probe into the Axact fake degree scam.

 

[Mughal-Prince]

Gift from our Prime Minister for GEO News.
Ager en ki aik aur baiti hoti tau woh Shakeel ur Rehman say biyah daitay.
Lets wait and watch what time has in its pocket for the rivals.

 

[Sipahi]

Mission accomplished by PML(Noora)

 

[Neutron]

Why Geo is not banned. Going by the analogy of information ministry there are many blames on Mir shakeel for getting funds for foreign agenda but there are no investigations aginst him. It is completely ridiculous and biased decision by the government.

 

[Pakistanisage]

This shameless govt. of Nawaz league had the audacity to ask for FBI support against their fellow citizens. Would US Govt. ever ask Pakistan's help to go after their own citizens ? This vendetta against BOL TV is all about supporting GEO TV. This shameless PM of Pakistan is totally without Honour and Shame.

 

[root]

Axxact was doing illegal business destroying life of students so it good decision by government.

 

[Secur]

This vendetta against BOL TV is all about supporting GEO TV. This shameless PM of Pakistan is totally without Honour and Shame

Corruption, money laundering and fake degrees. There's no vendetta, the parent company and the main bank-rollers of the media group have been found involved in very serious crimes and as a result, the media group cant be allowed to continue. This is almost an International issue by now as Axact has been selling degrees worldwide and has done irreparable damage.

 

[Hyde]

Good decision by the government. Now it is just the time to have similar inquiries about the existing tv channels of Pakistan and ban all the channels found guilty of corruption (i highly doubt any channel will be left in Pakistan).