PEMRA urges TV channels, radio stations to honour religious sentiment for Valentines day programming. DESIGN: JAHANZAIB HAQUE
Wednesday’s notification was more of a request than a stricter enforcement of Pakistan Electronic Media Regulator Authority (PEMRA) rules. The watchdog’s circular said that it was acting on complaints that celebrating the day was not in line with "our religious and cultural ethos".
"Such events have been perceived as a source of depraving, corrupting and injuring the morality of Pakistani youth as well as violating Code of Conduct developed by PEMRA," the regulator's letter said.
"All satellite TV channels/FM stations are, therefore requested to honour viewer's sentiments/opinion while conceptualising any programme or celebrating any event connected to The Valentine's Day," it added while pointing towards PEMRA rules of 2009 on the subject.
Valentine's Day is increasingly popular among youngsters, many of whom have taken up the custom of giving cards, chocolates and gifts to their sweethearts to celebrate the occasion.
However, many disapprove of Valentine's Day as a Western import.
A PEMRA official told AFP that the regulator had not banned Valentine's Day programme broadcast, but instead issued a request to channels in the wake of public complaints.
Supporters of religious parties staged a noisy protest against Valentine's Day on Tuesday in the Peshawar, denouncing it as un-Islamic and calling for a "day of modesty" instead.
The student wing of Jamaat-e-Islami rallied outside the Peshawar press club chanting slogans against Valentine's Day, saying it had "spread immodesty in the world".
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Pemra is losing its remaining mind. Please pemra stop acting like ultra conservatives' mouth piece.
St. Valentine's Day began as a liturgical celebration of one or more early Christian saints named Valentinus. it is nothing to do with us (Muslims) simply,we have sassi punno, heer ranjha and more if it is most necessary than go and celebrate at least by their names of love, no need to copy
I personally cannot WAIT for this ridiculous generation above us to die off so we can finally have a normal Pakistan! The average youth in Pakistan is more aware and more self-controlled than whatever this PEMRA thinks. We can handle ourselves! Valentines Day is just a nice HAPPY day to celebrate our loved ones... Can the government please let us be HAPPY and SHOW LOVE for ONE day?
This is common in "Islamic Republic of Pakistan" which is a Islamic theocratic state following Sharia law.
So the nation's youth gets corrupted on 14th. Febuary every year !!!. What about the other 364 days?.
Well done Pemra, great decision! It’s good to tell the world that we don’t stop our people to celebrate whatever they like but in the same time we don’t believe this event worth publicizing at national media.
*o Guyzzzzz!! Valentine's day has nothing to do with Islam.. People lavishly spent millions of rupees on this day. Is this Islam??????????*
I live in the US and Valentines day is NOT celebrated by MAJORITY of people, it is just like mothers day or fathers day, In my observation, only some high school, maybe some college kids celebrate it.....in Pakistan it seems like a mandatory holiday and the TV and Radio gets filled with this stupid concept, you hardly see anything like that in the US, where people celebrate it with tongue and cheek.
Personally I am against valentine day. But for those who are in its favour, PEMRA has not banned anything. They have only asked the media to be modest for we know what the role of our media is now a days; Exaggeration! be it political issue, veena malik, tahirulqadri or valentine's day! So why so much buzz!
There is always problem with religious fascists who wont live and let others live.
who gave PEMRA the right to act as moraity brigade ? We had enough of mullahs to patrol our neighbourhoods
Well done PEMRA
Excellent step. This should actaully be enforced! Dont understand why it is a request, it should have been an order. But good first step.
Also we need more of these protests all over Pakistan.
Dear Fellows you are not understanding the point . The Writer has written "" PEMRA has requested not to broadcast INDECENT programs "" There are many programs planned for that day , most of you have probably seen the Promos as well . They are just pathetic & vulgar . It must be celebrated with privacy with your spouse or loved one rather than exposing to World .
What about the mullah corrupting the whole of Pakistan
@hasan ansari: "@imme: We are caught in a web. 99% of the Pakistan votes for liberal parties in the elections and that says a lot"
There are no liberal parties in Pakistan. You have a choice between less religious and more religious. If you recall, PPP the supposed epitome of liberalism brought the 1974 laws against Ahmadiya. None of the so called liberal parties dare to touch even the implementation of blasphemy law. During the 18th amendment where all laws were reviewed to come up with a consensus constitution, laws discrimnating against women and non-Muslims were left in. How can a parliament that endorses such obvious discrimnation in its constitution be considered liberal?
@speakthetruth Eid, Muharram, Ramadan etc is celebrated all over the world. Why are you targeting V-Day only ? And by the way, which festival is Pakistan specific pray tell me Sir.
@speakthetruth: "@gp65.: Plz answer my question-which other country celebrates our festivals?"
In India definitely Eid is celebrated not just by Muslims but also their non Muslim neighbours, Christmas is celebrated not just by Christians but also their non Christian neighbours and same thing with Holi and Diwali.
Plus the issue is not just religious. Garba/Raas during navratri is traditionally a Gujarati festival but inMumbai where I grew up people of all communities would get together and celebrate that.
During makar sankraanti (Jan 14), in Ahmedabad, the sky is covered with kites and joyful cries of of 'kaaipo chhe' echo in the air when someone else's kite is cut. No one knows or cares whether the kite that was cut belonged to a Hindu or a Muslim. Everyone enjoys together.
If you think that your refusal to celebrate other people's festivals in some way hurts them you are mistaken. You are denying yourself joy and that is all which is also fine. But why be a killjoy for others who may not be as narrowminded as you are?
Very good decision by PEMRA
Absurd! The government should let people enjoy!!!!!! Solve all the other problems Pakistan has!
@imme: We are caught in a web. 99% of the Pakistan votes for liberal parties in the elections and that says a lot.
There is someone very conservative in PEMRA. Can we weed him out. ugh ! Let us celebrate how we feel fit to celeberate.
@gp65.:
Plz answer my question-which other country celebrates our festivals?
To those who suffer from inferiority complex, just answer one question, "Does any other country whether east or in the West celebrate any of our celebrations?" Wake up and realize your identity, which cannot and will never change, and get used to respect what you are only then will you earn respect from the rest of the world!
@Karela Spot on!
Well there are many days symbolizing love and peace, why our media creates so much fuss on valentines day... Its good that pemra is acting atleast....
For those that opose Valentine's day, I have a couple of questions. Why do you correlate those celebrating this day with immodesty? You can dress as modestly as you like and celebrate it or choose not to celebrate if you dislike. Why so uptight if someone else celebrates it?
@Karella: Well said.
If the expression of love, happiness, laughter and good will are qualities that corrupt the youth, one thing for sure is that the alternative being propagated is certainly not helping.
Well who forced you to celebrate .. keep ur nose sticked
Is love, or the expression of love a 'western' import? So is hate, or the expression of hate our national export? Lets take it further and celebrate the day of the suicide bomber, or the day to blow up schools. Something is seriously wrong in the state of Pakistan.