Pemra bans condom ads

Decision comes as a result of numerous complaints received by Pemra against 'undesired' content in condom ads

The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) has issued a notice to all TV channels and radio stations across the country to 'immediately stop' airing advertisements related to contraceptives and family planning products.

The decision comes in the wake of numerous complaints recieved by the regulatory authority against 'undesired' content in commercials for contraceptives.



"General public is concerned on the exposure of such products to innocent children, who get inquisitive on features/use of products," a notice issued by Pemra read.

It further stated that legal action will be taken against those who fail to follow the directives and continue airing such ads.

Pakistan is notoriously strait-laced when it comes to matters of sex and family planning is considered a taboo topic by many.

Notice issued by Pemra.

In September last year, Pemra banned an advertisement by a condom brand, calling it “immoral” and contrary to religious norms after receiving a deluge of complaints from the public.



The condom company, Josh, was previously slapped with a ban two years ago after airing a humourous but risque advertisement featuring a leading model.

Discussing contraception in public is taboo in Pakistan, though some experts warn the population is growing too fast for the country’s natural resources to support.

According to the United Nations a third of Pakistanis have no access to birth control even though its population is growing by more than two per cent a year.

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