Pemra tells LHC ads of hakeems, vulgarity not permissible

LAHORE: The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) on Thursday told the Lahore High Court that advertisement of Hakeems, black magic and pornography was not permissible under its code of conduct devised in 2015.

This was stated in a written reply submitted on behalf of Pemra’s Regional General Manager (Lahore) during hearing of a petition filed by Punjab opposition leader Mian Mahmoodur Rasheed who challenged levy of the PTV fee in electricity bills and exhibition of indecent advertisements, dramas and entertainments programmes on private cable television channels.

The reply stated that the allegations levelled in the petition were general in nature as no specific licensee (channel) was identified which was blatantly violating Pemra’s code of conduct.

“However it doesn’t mean that the electronic media is unfettered and unbridled. Objectionable advertisements are also not permissible under Pemra rules,” the authority said in the reply. Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah directed Pemra to strictly ensure implementation of its code of conduct and clamp down channels and cable operators showing pornography, black magic and quackery through advertisements and television commercials.

The judge also expressed concern over recovery of Rs50 as PTV fee in the electricity bills without any legal protection.  A deputy attorney general failed to give a satisfactory reply on the matter and the judge directed Managing Director of PTV furnish a reasonable reply on next hearing. Further hearing would be resumed on June 29.

Earlier, counsel  on behalf of the opposition leader that the information ministry was was not taking cognizance of the fact that the cable operators were blatantly violating the Pemra code of conduct 2015 and showing Indian porn stars on their private channels, which was despicable and tarnishing the morals of youth. 

The counsel argued that the cable operators were blatantly violating the Indecent Advertisement Act and core values of Islamic state.  He said in the same petition that the PTV fee levy by the information ministry recovered through electricity bills was illegal and confiscatory. He said through PTV fee, billions of rupees were being recovered to run massive advertisements.