The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA), which oversees the country's media, has sent a show-cause notice to a private TV channel after a video of host Fiza Ali and her husband went viral on social media.

The notice came after a morning show segment that the authority said made "inappropriate remarks" and a "unacceptable gesture" while it was being broadcast live.

Ali's husband, Ejaz Khan, who was a guest on the show, picked her up and put her over his shoulder in what she later called a fun moment.

A video of the moment quickly spread online, with some calling the act “distasteful” and saying such moments should not be aired on morning television. Others, meanwhile, questioned the lack of restraint on live shows, criticising the channel for allowing the segment to go on air and calling for stricter checks on content.

Some fans on the other hand, defended Fiza Ali, saying that the moment was not harmful and was blown out of proportion. Fiza herself answered the criticism by saying that the moment was taken out of context. She said it was a natural and harmless interaction and that there was no bad intent.

PEMRA on the other hand, said that the content went on the air “without proper editorial checks” and broke its rules. The regulator told the channel to send a written response and show up in front of the authority. They also said that the action could be taken if the explanation given is not good enough.

The Punjab Women Protection Authority even spoke out about the incident, calling it “regrettable” and stressing the importance of public figures acting properly on television.

The episode has once again sparked debate over content standards on Pakistan television, especially in live shows where editorial control is still limited.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)