Case Update Status

Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) to issue a general instruction not to provide coverage to any person who promotes smoking.

Summary of Case

"The Pakistan National Heart Association (Panah) has asked the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) to refrain from covering former federal minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed during his press conferences as he often smokes cigars, which could influence the youth to smoke as well. Panah has also urged Pemra to issue a general instruction prohibiting media coverage of anyone who promotes smoking. Panah's General Secretary Sanaullah Ghumman, in a letter to Pemra, stated that the association has been working to reduce cardiovascular diseases since 1984 and has advocated for policies to reduce non-communicable diseases and other fatal illnesses. The letter expressed concern that Sheikh Rashid's waving of his cigar and pack during media talks may lead young people to think that smoking symbolises personality and success. This could further contribute to the already high number of new smokers in Pakistan, 1,200 children per day. Mr Ghumman has also warned that showing a smoker in the media violates tobacco control laws in Pakistan, and media houses could face legal action."

Category of Incident

Censorship

ICCS Status

ICCS Divisions: 0803-Acts related to freedom of expression or control of expression

ICCS Group: 08039-Other acts related to freedom of expression or control of expression

ICCS Class: N/A

ICCS Crime: Acts related to freedom of expression or control of expression

Reported By

Dawn

Date of incident

28

Month

March

Year

2023

Name of affected person

Shaikh Rashid

Other affected persons

Not other person affected

Name of affected organization

All organizations was affected

Other affected organizations

All organizations was affected

Action by

By Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA).

City

Nationwide

Province

Nationwide

Designation

Not Applicable

Professional category

Not Applicable

Age of victim

Not applicable

Marital Status

Compensation Details

Amount of compensation announced by government: No compensation announced

Date of compensation announcement by government: No compensation announced

Date of compensation paid by government: No compensation announced

Amount of compensation announced by others: No compensation announced

Date of compensation announced by others: No compensation announced

Date compensation paid by others: No compensation announced

FIR Details

Was FIR registered ?: No

Court Details

Was case investigated ?: No

Court where case was presented: Case is not in any court

Name of prosecuting lawyer: Case is not in any court

Date of first court hearing:

Date of last court hearing:

Status of court case: Case is not in any court

Journalist Union Status

PFUJ

Not required to contact

APNS

N/A

CPNE

N/A

PBA

N/A

Media Source Status

Media reports:

Condemn Status

Colleague of victim

Not required to contact

Employer organization

Not required to contact

Press Club Status

Press club 1: Not required to contact

Press club 2: N/A

Press club 3: N/A