‘Immoral’ programmes: SC directs PEMRA to end obscenity

Directs cable operators and TV owners to submit compliance reports.

ISLAMABAD: Seeking a clear definition of obscenity from all stakeholders, the Supreme Court on Monday directed Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) to take concrete steps to discourage programmes and advertisements from disseminating obscenity on television channels. Heading a three-judge bench of the apex court, Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry heard a suo motu case regarding obscenity on television channels, following a written complaint made by Justice (Retd) Wajihuddin Ahmed and the former chief of Jamaat-e-Islami, Qazi Hussain Ahmed. The court has given Pemra four weeks to complete the process and has directed cable operators and TV owners to submit compliance reports.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 14^th, 2012.