ISLAMABAD: The federal information ministry wrote a letter to Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) Thursday, asking it not to broadcast BOL TV channel till completion of investigation into the degree scam by Axact — the parent company of the upcoming television and newspaper group.

"A letter has been sent to Pemra to stop Bol's transmission on a temporary basis," Federal Information Secretary Muhammad Azam told DawnNews via telephone.

A detailed NYT report titled "Fake Diplomas, Real Cash: Pakistani Company Axact Reaps Millions" and written by New York Times Pakistan bureau chief Declan Walsh had outlined how Axact — referred to as a "secretive Pakistani software company" — allegedly earned millions of dollars from scams involving fake degrees, non-existent online universities and manipulation of customers.

According to the report, Axact created a series of fake websites involving “professors” and students who it said were in fact paid actors.

On Wednesday, a First Information Report (FIR) was registered against seven individuals including Axact director and CEO Shoaib Ahmed Shaikh as well as a UAE-based company.

Take a look: FIR registered against Axact CEO, six others in fake degree scam

The individuals named in the FIR were subsequently arrested and are in FIA remand until June 7.

The arrests came after an FIA raid on the Axact office on Khayaban-e-Ittehad, where officials said a large number of university degrees and student identification cards were recovered.

Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan had earlier assured that the ministry will not bear pressure from any individual regarding investigation of the Axact scandal. He added that the investigation will be fair and transparent in this regard.

Know more: Nisar vows transparent investigation of Axact fake degree scam

Earlier on Monday, the Interior Ministry of Pakistan along with the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) wrote a letter to the US agency Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) seeking legal assistance to further probe into the Axact fake degree scam.

Read more: Pakistan seeks FBI assistance to probe Axact scam