One of the country’s leading news channels, ARY News, issued an apology over its popular show ‘OFF the RECORD’ hosted by Kashif Abbasi aired on January 21st, 2025.
The channel issued an apology, calling the view expressed in the introduction of the show the personal opinion of the host and not the editorial policy of the channel itself. Since then, the channel has replaced the host of the show. Ashfaq Ishaq Satti is now hosting the show in place of Kashif Abbasi.
On Monday, 3rd March, host Satti concluded the show with an apology note. He said that Kashif Abbasi expressed his personal opinion in the show that does not reflect the policy of the channel.
“If anyone’s feelings were hurt, the organisation apologises for it,” he added. The apology comes a week after the host was allegedly taken off the air. During the show, the anchor had lamented the state of law and order and democracy in the country.
“In this country, the constitution has been murdered and buried, and everyone has a hand in its demise,” Abbasi had said, adding that politics of power had caused the most harm to the country.
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“We are an unfortunate nation where, for political gains, even the sanctity of privacy and honour was trampled upon,” he added.
He questioned the legacy of the elections and the present-day parliament of Pakistan. “Parliament is a rubber stamp. Lawmakers blindly pass legislation. An inauguration plaque should be placed on the joy of the hybrid system that was started in 2018, and now the incumbent government facilitated it by offering their shoulders,” he said.
“Democracy is losing its case; politicians’ sacrifices are for power, not for the people,” he had added.
Meanwhile, Kashif Abbasi denied that he has been forcibly taken off-air and claims that he has taken leaves for personal reasons.