KARACHI/ISLAMABAD: ARY News suspended anchorperson Ashfaq Ishaq Satti following allegations of domestic violence.
In a statement on X, the news channel expressed serious concern over the accusations of domestic violence against anchorperson Ashfaq Satti. This action followed the registration of a first information report (FIR) against Satti based on a complaint filed by his wife, Nomaika Tahir Mehmood, who appears to be his second wife.
Nomaika Tahir Mehmood had initially shared the FIR and her pictures on X, but the account is no longer active.
The FIR was filed under sections 324 (attempt to murder), 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation), 337-A (i) (punishment for intentionally causing hurt to any person or with the knowledge that such act is likely to cause hurt), and 337-F (i) (punishment for causing harm to any person by any act with the intention of causing hurt) of the Pakistan Penal Code.
According to the complainant, who identified herself as a housewife, she had visited her diabetic mother at Jinnah Garden, Model Colony, on January 19, and stayed until January 22 due to health reasons.
Nomaika alleged that her husband confronted her with baseless accusations regarding her whereabouts and physically assaulted her, resulting in serious injuries to her left eye.
She further claimed that her husband forcefully took away their son, confined her in a room, and issued threats of dire consequences. Nomaika managed to escape from her husband’s residence on January 24 when he forgot to lock the door and subsequently reached her mother’s house.
As of now, the accused, Ashfaq Ishaq Satti, has not issued any statement. ARY News announced that Satti would remain suspended immediately until the legal process takes its course and determines the outcome.
The news channel emphasized its zero-tolerance policy towards violence or threats of violence, whether in the workplace or domestic settings.
FIR registered
Karachi police have registered a case against anchorperson Ashfaq Ishaq over allegations of “severely beating his wife.” The case was filed based on a complaint by Nomaika Tahir Mehmood, Ishaq’s spouse, who accused him of assaulting her due to doubts about her character.
The North Nazimabad Station House Officer (SHO), Farooq Ahmed Sanjrani, mentioned that the suspect fled after the registration of the First Information Report (FIR), and efforts were underway to apprehend him.
Police surgeon Dr. Summaiya Syed confirmed that Nomaika was initially examined on January 24 at Abbasi Shaheed Hospital’s medico-legal section. Today, she was re-examined at Civil Hospital Karachi at her request, and injuries were duly noted.
Dr. Summaiya stated that the victim’s injuries had not been disclosed until reports and expert opinions were obtained, and she had been advised relevant investigations.
