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.[5][6]
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.[7] After a number of delays, the network was launched on 1 December 2016.[8]
It claims to have offered insurance of up to Rs. 10 million to cable operators.[9] In 2014, BOL Network advertised on more than 20,000 public transport vehicles in Pakistan.[10] The company also announced a television set brand by the name of BG.[11]
In 2017, Bol was accused of defaming politician Ishaq Dar.[12]
In September 2022, PEMRA again revoked the network's license due to the channel failing to acquire security clearance.[13][14]
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.[15] In the course of the investigation, Bol was accused of using illegally imported equipment.[16]
Aftermath
Many journalists and other senior staff, including the editor-in-chief Kamran Khan,[17] resigned in the course of the scandal.[18][19][20][21][22]
ARY Digital HD Network Group
In August 2015, ARY Digital HD Network Group announced that they would take over the business and incorporate into their network,[23] but these plans eventually failed.[24][25]