Dear Pakistan Electronic Media Regularity Authority (PEMRA),

On the show "Ishq-e-Ramadan" aired on June 15, 216 on Pakistan's TV ONE, a prominent Pakistani cleric Mr. Maulana Kaukab Noorani Okarvi threatened AAJ TV Host and actor Mr. Hamza Ali Abbasi with murder. Mr. Abbasi had earlier raised the question of the rights of Ahmadis in Pakistan. Disturbed by Mr. Abbasi's sympathy for Pakistan's 5 million Ahmadis, Mr. Noorani said:

".. the honor of this nation is very much alive... If law doesn't take action, Muslims are ready to take action. It is law in the Pakistan Armed Forces that anyone who commits treason be shot dead at that very spot. If this is rule for an army, is my prophet not worth even this mush dignity? This (anti-Ahmadi laws & blasphemy laws) is a part of Pakistan's constitution. How dare he (Hamza Ali Abbasi) speak about this issue... Our honor does not let us tolerate this crime. We are very peaceful people, but if someone dares say such things about the "finality of prophethood," then remember that we are all soldiers in the army of Abu Bakr (ra). And we have no hesitation in this matter. Giving our life in this cause is the biggest honor for us... Everyone who remains silent on this issue is a criminal and is complicit..."

VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQzXybT1Qso  

Mr. Kaukab Noorani Okarvi sanctioned the cold blooded murder of anyone who discusses the Ahmadi issue or the Blasphemy Law. And he did so on a LIVE show on TV ONE Global. The TV host agreed with him. 

This incitement to murder is a criminal offence under the Law (PPC: 503 - 508), and under Sec 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act.

Although the cleric was alluding to to Hamza Ali Abbasi, he was indirectly warning every one of us Pakistanis. Make no mistake, we, as a nation, are being told by an unelected religious cleric - with a gun to our head - what we can and what we cannot speak about. This is thuggery, pure and simple.

We find this unacceptable and we refuse to acquiesce to such threats. As citizens of Pakistan, we have a voice and we have rights that we intend to use with PEMRA (and the Police, and our representatives in Government). 

Pakistan is sadly notorious for being a hub of religious extremism. Such abuse of mainstream electronic media shames our image even further. We urge PEMRA to look into this issue immediately and take action against those exploiting the media to flan the flames of sectarianism and violence. PEMRA can and must play its due role in our war against extremism by ensuring that the ideological weapons of this war - rampant hate speech and open incitement to violence - are checked, and punished. 

As citizens of Pakistan, we call on you to play your part in our fight for a Pakistan where religious extremism and intolerance is discouraged, and where tolerance, peaceful disagreement, civil dialogue, freedom of expression and religious harmony are promoted.

Take action against TV ONE Now!! 

Sincerely,
- Responsible Citizens of Pakistan