BOL Network

{{Infobox company

| name = BOL Network 4K (Pakistan)

| foundation = {{start date and age|2013}}

| native_name = {{Nastaliq|بول}}

| native_name_lang = ur

| romanized_name = Bol (lit. 'speak')

| type = Private

| logo = BOL Network.png

| image =

| image_caption =

| predecessor =

| successor =

| key_people = {{Unbulleted list|Sameer Chishty (chairman)}}

| defunct =

| area_served = Pakistan

| industry = Media and publishing house

| products =

| brands =

| revenue =

| operating_income =

| net_income =

| aum =

| assets =

| equity =

| num_employees =

| parent = AsiaPak Investments

| divisions =

| subsid =

| location_city = Karachi

| location_country = Pakistan

| homepage = {{URL|https://bolnetwork.com/}}

}}

BOL Network ({{langx|ur|بول نیٹ ورک}}) is a Pakistani TV network based in Karachi.{{cite web|url=http://www.journalismpakistan.com/news-detail.php?newsid=1412|title=BOL Network boss promises biggest ever corporate launch|work=journalismpakistan.com|access-date=29 August 2014|archive-date=3 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903153612/http://www.journalismpakistan.com/news-detail.php?newsid=1412|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last1=Talal|first1=Syed|title=ARY Quits BOL Network Takeover|url=http://propakistani.pk/2015/09/30/ary-quits-network-takeover/|website=Prop Pakistani|access-date=26 April 2016|archive-date=4 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160504034443/http://propakistani.pk/2015/09/30/ary-quits-network-takeover/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/18/world/asia/fake-diplomas-real-cash-pakistani-company-axact-reaps-millions-columbiana-barkley.html|title=Fake Diplomas, Real Cash: Pakistani Company Axact Reaps Millions|date=17 May 2015|newspaper=The New York Times|author=Declan Walsh|author-link=Declan Walsh (journalist)|access-date=1 March 2017|archive-date=9 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190509065740/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/18/world/asia/fake-diplomas-real-cash-pakistani-company-axact-reaps-millions-columbiana-barkley.html|url-status=live}} The company's head office is located in Karachi and called Bolistan,{{cite web |url=http://www.bolnetwork.com/bol-infrastructure/ |title=BOL Builds State-of-the-art Infrastructure in Pakistan |publisher=Bolnetwork.com |access-date=2016-09-14 |archive-date=24 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161024035203/http://www.bolnetwork.com/bol-infrastructure/ |url-status=live }} and it has regional headquarters in Lahore, Peshawar and Islamabad.

It was founded by Shoaib Ahmed Shaikh. In September 2023, Bol Network was acquired by AsiaPak Investments, a private investment firm, for an undisclosed sum, and Sameer Chishty was appointed as the new chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) of Bol Network.{{cite web | url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1775282 | title=Bol Network acquired by AsiaPak Investments | date=11 September 2023 }}{{cite web | url=https://www.brecorder.com/news/40262570 | title=AsiaPak Investments acquires Pakistan's Bol Network, amount not disclosed | date=11 September 2023 }}

Programing

=Current Shows=

Marham
BOL Kahani

History

The BOL Network was started by Pakistani businessman Shoaib Ahmed Sheikh in June 2013, and according to him, it was meant to create an independent media house to portray a soft image of Pakistan and several notable journalists joined the network at that time.{{cite web|title=Big Names in Pakistani Media Making the Move to BOL TV|url=http://www.zemtv.com/2013/08/21/big-names-in-pakistani-media-making-the-move-to-bol-tv/|website=ZemTV|access-date=26 April 2016|archive-date=31 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160531013323/http://www.zemtv.com/2013/08/21/big-names-in-pakistani-media-making-the-move-to-bol-tv/|url-status=live}} After a number of delays, the network was launched on 1 December 2016. {{cite web |url= https://www.hipinpakistan.com/news/1156102| title= Bol Entertainment to be launched on 1st December | author = HIP DESK| date = 16 November 2018 | newspaper = Hip | accessdate= 7 August 2023 | publisher= hipinpakistan.com | archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20220126033349/https://www.hipinpakistan.com/news/1156102 |archivedate= 26 January 2022}}

It claims to have offered insurance of up to Rs. 10 million to cable operators.{{Cite web|url=http://www.pakistantribe.com/pakistan-news/3510/bol-network-announces-free-life-insurance-of-up-to-rs-1-crore-to-cable-operators-across-pakistan|title=BOL Network announces free lifeinsurance of up to Rs. 1 crore to cable operators across Pakistan - Pakistan Tribe|website=www.pakistantribe.com|access-date=2016-09-17|archive-date=20 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220120224418/http://www.pakistantribe.com/pakistan-news/3510/bol-network-announces-free-life-insurance-of-up-to-rs-1-crore-to-cable-operators-across-pakistan|url-status=usurped}} In 2014, BOL Network advertised on more than 20,000 public transport vehicles in Pakistan.{{cite web|title=BOL Family Program providing Rozgar upgrading Public Transport: Simply CSR or Brilliant Marketing Strategy?|url=http://mediawatch360.blogspot.kr/2014/11/bol-family-program-providing-rozgar.html|website=Media Watch 360|date=24 November 2014 |access-date=26 April 2016|archive-date=26 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160426233431/http://mediawatch360.blogspot.kr/2014/11/bol-family-program-providing-rozgar.html|url-status=live}} The company also announced a television set brand by the name of BG.{{Cite web|url=http://www.bolnetwork.com/press-release/BOL-introduces-BG/|title=BOL Group Introduces Its Very Own TV brand – BG!|website=www.bolnetwork.com|access-date=2016-09-18|archive-date=24 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161024035642/http://www.bolnetwork.com/press-release/BOL-introduces-BG/|url-status=live}}

In August 2015, ARY Digital HD Network Group announced that they would take over the business and incorporate into their network,{{cite news|title=ARY CEO and Founder Salman Iqbal takes over BOL Network management — says BOL will be launched in three weeks|url=http://arynews.tv/en/ary-ceo-salman-iqbal-takes-over-bol-network-management-says-bol-will-be-launched-in-three-weeks|access-date=19 August 2015|agency=ARYNEWS.tv|publisher=ARY SERVICES LTD UK.|date=19 August 2015|archive-date=21 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150821083055/http://arynews.tv/en/ary-ceo-salman-iqbal-takes-over-bol-network-management-says-bol-will-be-launched-in-three-weeks|url-status=dead}} but these plans eventually failed.{{Cite tweet|number=649251195375083520|user=BOLNETWORK|title=Important Announcement regarding #BOL|author=BOL Network|date=2015-09-30|access-date=2023-08-03}}{{Cite web |date=30 September 2015 |title=ARY Quits BOL Network Takeover |url=https://propakistani.pk/2015/09/30/ary-quits-network-takeover/ |access-date=29 July 2024 |website=Propakistani}}

In 2017, Bol was accused of defaming politician Ishaq Dar.{{cite web|url= https://propakistani.pk/2017/01/30/ishaq-dar-sends-legal-notice-bol-tv-dr-shahid-masood/|title= Ishaq Dar Sends Legal Notice to Bol TV & Dr. Shahid Masood|date= 30 January 2017|access-date= 30 January 2017|archive-date= 30 January 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170130135955/https://propakistani.pk/2017/01/30/ishaq-dar-sends-legal-notice-bol-tv-dr-shahid-masood/|url-status= live}}

In September 2022, PEMRA again revoked the network's license due to the channel failing to acquire security clearance.{{Cite web |date=2022-09-07 |title=Pakistan: BOL broadcast suspended across Pakistan / IFJ |url=https://www.ifj.org/media-centre/news/detail/category/press-releases/article/pakistan-bol-broadcast-suspended-across-pakistan |access-date=2023-05-30 |website=www.ifj.org |language=en |archive-date=30 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230530145259/https://www.ifj.org/media-centre/news/detail/category/press-releases/article/pakistan-bol-broadcast-suspended-across-pakistan |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Dawn.com |date=2022-09-05 |title=Pemra orders 'immediate' closure of Bol News broadcast citing failure to obtain security clearance |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1708573 |access-date=2023-05-30 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en |archive-date=30 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230530145249/https://www.dawn.com/news/1708573 |url-status=live }}

In September 2023, AsiaPak Investments acquired Bol Network. Sameer Chishty was named the new chief executive officer.{{Cite web |last=Dawn.com |date=2023-09-11 |title=Bol Network acquired by AsiaPak Investments |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1775282 |access-date=2024-07-29 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en}}

Axact scandal

= Involvement =

When the offices of Axact were raided by the authorities, Bol Network provided digital satellite news gathering vehicles to block journalists from accessing to the building.{{Cite web|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/889156/fake-degrees-mill-fia-raids-axact-offices/|title='Fake degrees mill' FIA raids Axact offices|website=The Express Tribune|date=2015-05-20|language=en-US|access-date=2016-09-17|archive-date=18 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160918125337/http://tribune.com.pk/story/889156/fake-degrees-mill-fia-raids-axact-offices/|url-status=live}} In the course of the investigation, Bol was accused of using illegally imported equipment.{{Cite web|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/892412/equipment-at-bol-tv-imported-illegally/|title=Equipment at Bol TV 'imported illegally'|website=The Express Tribune|date=2015-05-26|language=en-US|access-date=2016-09-17|archive-date=18 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160918095602/http://tribune.com.pk/story/892412/equipment-at-bol-tv-imported-illegally/|url-status=live}}

== Aftermath ==

Many journalists and other senior staff, including the editor-in-chief Kamran Khan,{{Cite web|url=http://www.samaa.tv/pakistan/2015/05/kamran-khan-quits-bol-with-immediate-effect/|title=Kamran Khan quits Axact's BOL Network|access-date=2016-09-17|archive-date=18 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160918012304/http://www.samaa.tv/pakistan/2015/05/kamran-khan-quits-bol-with-immediate-effect/|url-status=live}} resigned in the course of the scandal.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/24/world/asia/pakistan-says-it-has-evidence-against-axact-a-fake-diploma-company.html|title=Pakistani Journalists Resign to Cut Ties to Axact, a Fake Diploma Company|last=Imtiaz|first=Saba|date=2015-05-23|newspaper=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=2016-09-18|archive-date=12 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160412043530/http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/24/world/asia/pakistan-says-it-has-evidence-against-axact-a-fake-diploma-company.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.inside.ae/Kamran-Khan-Azhar-Abbas-other-senior-journalists-quit-Bol|title=Kamran Khan Azhar Abbas other senior journalists quit Bol|access-date=18 September 2016|archive-date=19 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160919074729/http://www.inside.ae/Kamran-Khan-Azhar-Abbas-other-senior-journalists-quit-Bol|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/891416/exodus-in-the-making-senior-journalists-quit-bol-tv-as-axact-controversy-deepens/|title=Exodus in the making: Senior journalists quit Bol TV as Axact controversy deepens|website=The Express Tribune|date=2015-05-24|language=en-US|access-date=2016-09-18|archive-date=9 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160409060333/http://tribune.com.pk/story/891416/exodus-in-the-making-senior-journalists-quit-bol-tv-as-axact-controversy-deepens/|url-status=live}}{{Cite tweet|number=602118386328444928|user=AajKamranKhan|title=Charges against Axact far from proven in court but my conscience not letting me continue.I've decided to disassociate from Bol immediately|first=Kamran|last=Khan|author-link=Kamran Khan (journalist)|date=2015-05-23|access-date=2016-09-18}}{{Cite web|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/891416/exodus-in-the-making-senior-journalists-quit-bol-tv-as-axact-controversy-deepens/|title=Exodus in the making: Senior journalists quit Bol TV as Axact controversy deepens|website=The Express Tribune|date=2015-05-24|language=en-US|access-date=2016-09-17|archive-date=9 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160409060333/http://tribune.com.pk/story/891416/exodus-in-the-making-senior-journalists-quit-bol-tv-as-axact-controversy-deepens/|url-status=live}}