After receiving many complaints, the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) ordered local television stations to “stop airing caress and hug scenes” in dramas.
According to PEMRA, a “significant stratum of society” believes that plays do not portray the “real picture” of Pakistani society. “Hugs/caress scenes/extramarital relations, vulgar/bold attire, bed scenes, and married couple closeness are being glamorised in complete contempt of Islamic teachings and traditions of Pakistani society,” the notification stated.
“PEMRA finally got something right: Intimacy and affection between married couples isn’t a ‘genuine picture of Pakistani culture’ and must not be ‘glamourised,'” legal and human rights specialist Reema Omer stated in response to the development.
“Our’culture’ is control, abuse, and aggression, which we must fiercely preserve against the imposition of such alien values,” according to the legal expert.
PEMRA asked all Satellite TV channels to desist from showing caress/hug scenes in dramas and to thoroughly analyse the content of the dramas through an in-house monitoring committee and edit or alter the same while taking into account the viewers’ doubts and apprehensions.
“With the foregoing in mind, all satellite TV licensees are required to cease airing such content in dramas immediately, and to guarantee that PEMRA laws are followed in letter and spirit,” it continued.
