Pemra bans 'immoral' condom advertisement

Condom company, Josh, was previously slapped with a ban two years ago after airing a humourous but risque ad


Afp September 15, 2015
A screengrab of the advertisement

Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) banned on Monday an advertisement by a condom brand, calling it "immoral" and contrary to religious norms after receiving a deluge of complaints from the public.

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

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

Read: PEMRA bars TV channels from airing contraceptive ad

The advertisment features a large man approaching a roadside stall to ask for a small pack of condoms. He is followed by a second man, who grins widely as he requests a larger pack, all the while making a gesture with his hands that can be interpreted as lewd.

The entire street then breaks out in song and "bhangra" dance in celebration.

Fakharuddin Mughal, a spokesman for the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority, said the agency had received "scores of complaints against the telecast of an objectionable and indecent advertisement of contraceptive".

"Pemra, in its directive has pointed out that the advertisement is generally being perceived as indecent, immoral and in sheer disregard to our socio-cultural and religious norms," he added.

Read: Thanks for nothing Mathira and Josh condoms

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.

COMMENTS (7)

F Khan | 8 years ago | Reply If all it takes for Pemra to act is a deluge of letters and criticisms, then we should all send in letters criticizing them for allowing the local channels for keeping "tainted" anchors on staff and then allowing them air time. After all, despite being exposed and shamed for the interview of the Bahria Group Chief Executive, both Anchors still get air time. Where is Pemra's moral and ethics in all this? or are they only bothered when it comes to ads featuring condoms? Just goes to show where their brains are.
Another Indian | 9 years ago | Reply Isn't contraception against the rules of the religion? Condoms should be banned in Pakistan like in Saudi Arabia.
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