Toons on Trial: Committee again says it cannot ban Hindu cartoons

Committee submits report with CM Secretariat stating that Pemra is the only body authorised to impose such a ban.

LAHORE: A committee formed by the Punjab government has said that it does not have the authority to impose a proposed ban on cartoon channels airing shows on Hindu mythology.

The committee recently submitted a report with the Chief Minister’s Secretariat stating that the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) was the only body authorised to impose such a ban.

The Punjab government had formed a committee led by Senator Pervez Rashid to consider the closure of Indian cartoon channels after the issue was raised in the Punjab Assembly. Other members of the committee include Farah Deba, Mohsin Ali and officials from the Culture and Information Department.

A committee member urged Pemra to announce a ban on Indian cartoon channels. “Regardless of the government’s comments, these channels are disseminating Hindu culture and we cannot stand for this,” said Ali, adding that Pemra needed to take strict action.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 6^th, 2011.