COVID-19 has changed the Ramazan transmission preparations as we knew it: Seemal Hashmi

News anchored turned morning show host Seemal Hashmi is going to make her Ramazan transmission hosting debut on Pakistan TV screens. The host of 24@9 will be hosting the Ramazan transmission of 24 News HD, she hosted Ramazan transmission of UK based channel UK44 in 2018.

Seemal says that her first reaction on getting this assignment was a sigh of relief that she will not need to wake up at 6am for 24@9 almost right after Sehri. She said:

“This is not a new show we will be moving 24@9 to the pre-iftari slot, Abuzar and I will keep hosting it but the format and branding of the show will be different. It will be called ‘Ishq-e-Ramazan’. The show will be a blend of 24@9 and Ramzan transmission we will be doing our regular news and current affairs discussion in the show but there are going to be religious scholars, health and nutrition experts too on the show as guests. Ensuring the balance between current affairs and Ramazan transmission would be the actual goal especially when we have to keep everyone updated with Corona-virus updates.”

Talking about her previous experience of hosting Ramazan transmission, Seemal said:

“That was totally a different experience, I had to travel to the UK and did that show for a whole month in London. The discussion was different it was more on the lines of issues faced overseas during the month of Ramazan. That was very interesting experience and that taught me a lot about the religion. I think that experience will help me a lot to prepare for Ishq-e-Ramazan.”

Talking about challenges of doing such show in the time of COVID-19, the anchor said:

“It is very challenging, it has changed the way we live and off course changed the Ramzan transmission as we knew it. This time we have proper SOPs to follow i.e. ensuring social distancing, no live audiance, and limited number of guests. This is going to be challenging to meet the expectations.”

Ishq-e-Ramzan transmission will air on 24 News HD everyday throughout the month.