New Delhi: A leading Pakistani news channel has come under fire for allegedly airing the news of Indian legendary singer Asha Bhosle’s death. The TV channel has been
slapped with a show-cause notice by the country’s media watchdog for showing Indian content.
Music legendAsha Bhosle passed away at the age of 92 years in Mumbai on April 12. She was admitted to a hospital on Saturday evening after complaining of a chest infection and exhaustion.
Pakistan news channel slapped with notice
The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) issued a show-cause notice to Geo News, questioning its decision to air Indian songs and movie visuals while covering the singer’s death news. Notably, Indian content has been banned in Pakistan since 2018.
The country’s media regulator said the broadcast amounts to a “wilful defiance” of the Supreme Court of Pakistan’s order that prohibits the airing of Indian content.
The CEO of M/s Independent Media Corporation, which owns Geo News, has been asked to appear before PEMRA on April 27. PEMRA also sought a written response from the TV channel within 14 days, explaining why action should not be taken.
The regulator warned that penalties could include fines, suspension, or even revocation of the channel’s licence under provisions of the PEMRA Ordinance, 2002, as amended in 2023.
Geo News responds to notice
Responding to the notice, Geo News Managing Director Azhar Abbas said that revisiting an artist’s work is an integral part of reporting on their life.
In a long social media post, Abbas said, “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. Yet, Pakistan’s electronic media regulator, PEMRA, has chosen to restrict this
Defending the editorial choice, he said, “Art, like knowledge, is a shared heritage of humanity, and it should not be confined by borders.”
Highlighting Bhosle’s artistic ties with Pakistan, Abbas noted, “Asha Bhosle 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.”
PEMRA has issued a show-cause notice to Geo News for airing content related to the legendary subcontinent singer Asha Bhosle.
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,… pic.twitter.com/AuhFPyGZCL— Azhar Abbas (@AzharAbbas3) April 13, 2026
He also underlined the role of art in difficult times of war and conflict. “In times of war and conflict, art and artists should not become casualties. Intellectuals, musicians, and creators are often the very voices that stand against hatred and division, and the ones who bring people closer together,” he said.
Known for versatile singing in countless Bollywood movies, Asha Bhosle gave Indian film and music industry several memorable songs likes Piya Tu Ab To Aaja, Dum Maro Dum, Dil Cheez Kya Hai and the evergreen Chura Liya Hai Tumne. She was also honoured with two National Film Awards, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2000, and the Padma Vibhushan in 2008.
