The Pakistan Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has directed TV channels to observe modesty and refrain from showing closeness and intimacy on the screen.
The electronic media regulator issued a notice to all TV channels not to indulge in “airing objectionable dramas/content based on indecent dressing, caressing, bed scenes and gestures, sensitive/controversial plots and unnecessary detailing of event(s).”
The notice stated that it is highly disturbing, distressing for the viewers and against the accepted standards of decency.
“On the prevalent trends in the Pakistani drama industry, PEMRA is not only receiving complaints from the general public on the Pakistan Citizen Portal (PCP) and PEMRA Complaints Call Center and Feedback System but also criticised on social media/WhatsApp groups,” stated the document.
“A considerable stratum of 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 couples are being glamourised in utter disregard to Islamic teachings and the culture of Pakistani society,” it further continued.
Following the notice, several social media users took to Twitter to share their thoughts regarding the decision. Many criticised PEMRA for finding mild intimacy between on-screen married couples more problematic than the portrayal of domestic violence and abuse in Pakistani dramas.
Depicting married couples hugging each other & other acts of affection/intimacy = haram
Depicting men physically assaulting women (without any content warnings) = halal
Pemra has really got its priorities straight https://t.co/jlfEOamkKL
— Reem Khurshid (@ReemKhurshid) October 23, 2021
Oh dear. Hugging, caressing, other intimacy in Ertugrul Ghazi
Govt says Ertugrul is “a great exhibition of Islamic culture/faith” but our regulator thinks depicting such conduct is against Pakistani values
What do we do now, @reportpemra?
Please guidehttps://t.co/XuHBstv3nh pic.twitter.com/IjHd8Dt2LQ— Reema Omer (@reema_omer) October 23, 2021
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 pic.twitter.com/MJQekyT1nH
— Reema Omer (@reema_omer) October 22, 2021
PEMRA is right.
Hugs, caress scenes, bold dressing and intimacy between married couples shouldn't be glorified and should be banned as this is not our culture.
Maulvi raping kids in madrassas, husband beating wives, thats our culture, now that's some cultural content.
— Anas. (@teepusahab) October 23, 2021
Is PEMRA aware that prevalent scenes of domestic violence and abuse are far more ‘disturbing & distressing ‘ and against the ‘commonly accepted standards of decency’? https://t.co/sJnoRLPmQK
— d kamal (@daanistan) October 22, 2021
