Islamabad: Pakistan government on Thursday barred the media from promoting Valentine’s Day.
Complying with the orders of Islamabad High Court (IHC), Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) issued a reminder to the broadcasters about ban on airing Valentine’s Day celebrations in electronic media and promoting the day in print media.
The IHC in a ruling last year, a day before the Valentine’s Day, had ordered to ban airing its celebrations across the country.
In pursuance of order regarding stoppage of promotion of Valentine’s Day on media, in a notification issued here on Wednesday, PEMRA asked all television channels and Radio to comply with the court orders.
“The orders of IHC are still in field. Therefore, all the Broadcast Media and Distribution Services Licensees are advised to desist from promoting Valentine’s Day through their respective channels/networks,” it said.
The notification says: “In the meanwhile, respondents are directed to ensure that nothing about the celebrations of Valentine’s Day and its promotion is spread on the Electronic and Print Media. No event shall be held at official level and at any public place.”
The IHC, in a verdict passed on February 13, 2017, had prohibited the celebration of Valentine’s Day in public spaces and government offices across the country “with immediate effect”.
The court had also warned print and electronic media to “stop all Valentine’s Day promotions immediately.”
The orders were given on a petition submitted by citizen Abdul Waheed, who maintained that promotions on mainstream and social media for Valentine’s Day were against Islamic teachings and should be banned immediately. The chairman Pemra is directed to ensure that all TV channels shall stop the promotion of Valentine’s Day.”
In 2016, President Mamnoon Hussain had urged Pakistanis to forego celebrating Valentine’s Day, saying that it was not a part of Muslim tradition, but of the West.
