London: Ofcom the UK’s communications regulator has revoked the broadcast license of Ausaf TV, a proposed Urdu channel, ahead of its UK launch after its sister publication Daily Ausaf published praise of Jihadist leaders in its newspaper.
According to sources, the publication had featured two of the world’s most wanted terrorists, Masood Azhar and Hafiz Sayeed. The publication also allegedly praised Osama Bin Laden and Mulla Omar, leader of the Afghan Taliban.
In its defence, the paper’s senior editor, Muhammed Hanif Lodhi said that the material File on 4 had highlighted was taken out of context and said he was absent from the office when breaches of editorial policy took place.
The Daily Ausaf is said to have sacked two members of staff after conducting an internal investigation. Mr Lodhi has further assured that such material would not appear in the future.
However, Ofcom has claimed that that the individual in control of Ausaf UK Limited had close links to the Pakistan and UK editions of the Daily Ausaf newspaper, in which articles were published.
Ofcom stated “In light of serious findings, we are no longer satisfied that those in control of Ausaf UK Limited are fit and proper to hold a broadcast license. We have therefore revoked the license”, it concluded.