Pakistan TV Channels Asked Not To Air Caress, Hug Scenes. PEMRA Says Its 'Utter Disregard To Islamic Teachings'

This comes following numerous complaints from the general public against such elements in television dramas.

(Representative Image/ Getty)

New Delhi: The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has directed the local television channels to refrain from airing caress and hug scenes in dramas and properly review the content through in-house monitoring committee and edit/amend the same.

This comes following numerous complaints from the general public against such elements in television dramas.

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“In continuation to earlier directions of the Authority issued from time to time wherein, it was conveyed that Satellite TV Channels are indulging in airing objectionable dramas/content based on indecent dressing, caressing, bed scenes, & gestures, sensitive/controversial plots and unnecessary detailing of events(s), which are highly disturbing, distressing for the viewers and against the commonly accepted standards of decency,” the PEMRA said in a release.

“On the prevalent trends in Pakistani drama industry, PEMRA is not only receiving numerous complaints from general public on Pakistan Citizen Portal (PCP) and PEMRA Complaints Call Center and Feedback System but also criticized on social media/whatsapp groups. A considerable stratum of the society believes that dramas are not depicting true picture of Pakistani society. Hugs/caress scenes/extramarital relations, vulgar/bold dressing, bed scenes and intimacy of married couple are being glamorized in utter disregard to Islamic teachings and culture of Pakistani society,” the release added.

The release further said: “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.”

Human rights professional Reema Omer, who shared the PEMRA release on her official Twitter handle, said intimacy and affection between married couple is not “true depiction” of Pakistani society.

“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 imposition of such alien values,” she tweeted.