TV show in Pakistan draws public outrage

KARACHI, Pakistan, Jan. 27 (UPI) -- A Pakistani TV program triggered public outrage when its host and other women hassled young dating couples in a public park, and the issue appears court-bound.

The hourlong program, hosted by Maya Khan, 31, was shown live Jan. 17 on Samaa TV, The New York Times reported.

About 15 women were shown hounding couples who had been sitting quietly on benches. The young people were asked why they were in the park together and if their parents knew what they were doing, the Times reported.

When one couple said they were married, Khan asked them for their marriage certificate.

The public reaction to the show was strongly negative, the Times said.

One viewer called Khan's tactics a "witch hunt."

A headline called the women "Vigil-aunties."

Four local non-government organizations planned to file a civil suit against the TV station in the Supreme Court, the newspaper said.

"Journalists don't have the right to become moral police," said Adnan Rehmat of Intermedia, one of the petitioners. "We need to draw a line."

There is also concern the growing television industry, while seen as promoting democracy and social freedom, may be overstepping its bounds in a spirited ratings battle among stations.

The Times said the outrage in the case of Khan's show had to do with concerns both about media ethics and about society's conservative tilt.

In a telephone interview with the Times, Khan said the show was only intended to highlight the dangers unaccompanied youths face in Karachi.

Samaa TV issued a formal apology for her show and played a short clip of Khan saying, "I never intended to make you teary-eyed or hurt you."