{{Short description|Pakistani television network}} {{Use Pakistani English|date=June 2022}} {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2022}} {{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.<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref><ref name="nyt2">{{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}}</ref> The company's head office is located in Karachi and called Bolistan,<ref name="bolnetwork1">{{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 }}</ref> and it has regional headquarters in Lahore, Peshawar and Islamabad.<ref name="bolnetwork1" />
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.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1775282 | title=Bol Network acquired by AsiaPak Investments | date=11 September 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.brecorder.com/news/40262570 | title=AsiaPak Investments acquires Pakistan's Bol Network, amount not disclosed | date=11 September 2023 }}</ref>
== 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref> After a number of delays, the network was launched on 1 December 2016.<ref> {{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}}</ref>
It claims to have offered insurance of up to Rs. 10 million to cable operators.<ref>{{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}}</ref> In 2014, BOL Network advertised on more than 20,000 public transport vehicles in Pakistan.<ref>{{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}}</ref> The company also announced a television set brand by the name of BG.<ref>{{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}}</ref>
In August 2015, ARY Digital HD Network Group announced that they would take over the business and incorporate into their network,<ref>{{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}}</ref> but these plans eventually failed.<ref>{{Cite tweet|number=649251195375083520|user=BOLNETWORK|title=Important Announcement regarding #BOL|author=BOL Network|date=2015-09-30|access-date=2023-08-03}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref>
In 2017, Bol was accused of defaming politician Ishaq Dar.<ref>{{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}}</ref>
In September 2022, PEMRA again revoked the network's license due to the channel failing to acquire security clearance.<ref>{{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 }}</ref><ref>{{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 }}</ref>
In September 2023, AsiaPak Investments acquired Bol Network. Sameer Chishty was named the new chief executive officer.<ref>{{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}}</ref>
==Axact scandal== {{Main|Axact}} === 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref> In the course of the investigation, Bol was accused of using illegally imported equipment.<ref name=":0">{{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}}</ref>
==== Aftermath ==== Many journalists and other senior staff, including the editor-in-chief Kamran Khan,<ref>{{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}}</ref> resigned in the course of the scandal.<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref>
==List of channels== * BOL Entertainment – HD Urdu Entertainment Channel. * BOL News – HD Urdu News Channel.
== See also == *List of news channels in Pakistan *Faysal Aziz Khan *List of 4K channels in Pakistan
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{Television in Pakistan}}
Category:BOL Network Category:Mass media companies of Pakistan Category:Axact Category:Television stations in Karachi Category:Television channels and stations established in 2013 Category:24-hour television news channels in Pakistan Category:Television stations in Pakistan Category:2013 establishments in Pakistan