ISLAMABAD – The state-run Pakistan Television (PTV) has slapped a ban on two of its female anchors for allegedly defaming the organisation after a matter of sexual harassment at workplace gained notoriety.
The two female anchors — Tanzeela Mazhar and Yashfeen Jamal — had shared their workplace sexual harassment experience on social media and other TV channels.
The two anchors had complained against a male employee, Agha Masood Shorish, who they claimed, made alleged sexual advances towards them.
On January 20, PTV management issued a circular saying that ‘certain’ PTV employees were using social media to comment on 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, allegedly did not follow the instructions by the management and also talked about the matter on a talk show of local news channel.
A notice was issued by PTVs Controller Current Affairs Habibur Rehman on Monday stating that both anchors are banned with immediate effect from the channel.
The notice said that the organisation could not afford such insulting and defamatory behaviour by anchors despite an internal inquiry being carried out officially.
A calling attention notice was submitted with the National Assembly Secretariat by the Pakistan People’s Party urging the Federal Minister for Human Rights to take action against incidents of sexual harassment at the state-run broadcaster.
