Case Update Status

The directive of PEMRA has been challeged in Islamabad High court.

Summary of Case

"On 22 Oct, 2021 The Pakistan Electronic Media Reglatory Authority (PEMRA) directed local television channels to stop airing indecent in dramas, as it was receiving several complaints against such content.

PEMRA, in a notification, said a ""considerable stratum of the society"" believes that dramas are not depicting the ""true picture"" of the Pakistani society.

""Hugs/caress scenes/extramarital relations, vulgar/bold dressing, bed scenes, and intimacy of married couple are being glamorised in utter disregard to Islamic teachings and culture of Pakistani society,"" the notification said.

Responding to the development, legal and human rights professional Reema Omer said: ""Pemra finally got something right: Intimacy and affection between married couples isn’t 'true depiction of Pakistani society' and must not be 'glamourised'.""

“Our ‘culture’ is control, abuse and violence, which we must jealously guard against the imposition of such alien values,” the legal expert said.

Meanwhile, in the notification, Pemra directed all Satellite TV channels to refrain from airing caress/hug scenes in dramas and properly review the content of the dramas through in house monitoring committee and edit or amend the same by giving due consideration to the reservations and apprehensions of the viewers. “Forgoing in view, all satellite TV licensees are required to stop airing such content in dramas, henceforth, and ensure compliance of Pemra laws in letter and spirit,” it added.

On , seeking its reply on a plea challenging a notification wherein television channels had been directed to refrain from airing ""objectionable dramas"" and intimate scenes, Dawn reported.

In the plea taken up by the LHC's Justice Jawad Hassan, the petitioner contended that PEMRA's notification was ""illegal"" and ""contrary to the ethos of the Pemra Ordinance 2002.""

It further argued that PEMRA had no authority to issue directions such as those mentioned in the notification to television channels. The media regulator's move was based on ""malafide, ulterior motives"" and was in ""sheer violation of the fundamental rights of the petitioner"".

The petitioner said the issuance of the notification was indicative of the ""sick mentality"" of PEMRA authorities and termed the directives ""discriminatory.""

PEMRA and the regulator's operations and broadcast media general manager, Muhammad Tahir, have been nominated as respondents in the plea.

Seeking a reply from PEMRA on the plea at the next hearing, the court appointed Barrister Ahmed Pansota as the amicus curiae in the case."

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

The News

Date of incident

22

Month

October

Year

2021

Name of affected person

No person affected

Other affected persons

No other person affected

Name of affected organization

All TV channels

Other affected organizations

All TV channels

Action 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: Islamabad High Court

Name of prosecuting lawyer: N/A

Date of first court hearing: 28/10/2021

Date of last court hearing:

Status of court case: N/A

Journalist Union Status

PFUJ

N/A

APNS

CPNE

PBA

Media Source Status

Media reports:

Condemn Status

Colleague of victim

N/A

Employer organization

N/A

Press Club Status

Press club 1: N/A

Press club 2:

Press club 3: