Petition before IHC seeks action against Lāzawāl Ishq's 'immoral' content

A constitution petition has been filed before the Islamabad High Court against reality TV show Lāzawāl Ishq on allegations of promoting obscene and immoral content. 

The petitioner, Aman Taraqqi Party Chairperson Muhammad Faiq Shah, contends that the reality TV show runs content contrary to the country's religiosocio values, traditions and morals. It promotes obscenity and moral corruption to its young audience, the petitioner has argued, moving the court to direct PEMRA [Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority] and PTA [Pakistan Telecommunication Authority] to strictly monitor "immoral" content on digital platforms. 

The petitioner had further sought guidance from the court on the role of the Council of Islamic Ideology. “We support art and freedom of expression, but not moral decline and immodesty in the name of freedom,” claimed the petitioner. 

Hosted by actor Ayesha Omar, Lāzawāl Ishq is modelled on the Turkish reality show Ask Adasi. In the show, men and women live in a villa, look for a partner and partake in challenges while forming alliances. The camera follows their every move till one couple emerges as the winners in the finale. 

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A teaser released last month in September drew a split audience with some cheering on the show and others calling for its complete boycott. Yet others demanded action against the channel and producers. Responding to these calls, PEMRA clarified that it had recieved several complaints against the show and confirmed the reality programme was not licensed for television broadcast in Pakistan. 

However, the authority specified, that its regulation is limited to TV channels while the programme is streaming on YouTube and its teasers are being shared digitally. 

Omar has previously defended the project, terming it as groundbreaking for Urdu audiences. All contestants are Pakistani, she has clarified, adding that the production is a mix of drama, romance and competition. 

The petition, filed through Shah's counsel advocate Mian Asif Mahmood, has named the Federation of Pakistan, PTA, PEMRA, Council of Islamic Ideology (CCI), and the newly formed National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) as respondents. 

Touting the petition as the start of a "moral revolution," the Aman Taraqqi Party has called for immediate steps to protect Pakistan's religious and cultural identity.