LAHORE: Urging writers to produce content which is “strictly in line” with Pakistani culture, the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) on Tuesday issued a directive asking drama serials to tone down “bold” scripts.
“Pakistan’s drama industry has always been recognized/appreciated for its quality [of its work] and diversification. Over time, however, it has been observed that the quality of Pakistani dramas is deteriorating by the day,” a statement released by Pemra said.
— Report PEMRA (@reportpemra) September 3, 2018
The statement – which has now gone viral on social media -- added that the authority was done with the “bold and unnecessary glamour that seems to be ignoring religious, social, cultural and ethical values of the country”.
Dear Pemra,
Can you also provide an extensive list of things which are solely part of Pakistani culture and not that of alien cultures/societies? I guess it will be immensely helpful to the content makers in Pakistan.
Thanks.— Zeeshan Mahmood (@zeeshaandaar) September 4, 2018
In the five-point notice, specifically directed at television channels, Pemra cited “receiving numerous complaints from the general public” as its main reason for issuing the directive.
What, pray tell, is the 'true picture of Pakistani society'?
Not every drama serial is meant to be watched with the family. Pinky & Babloo can be put to bed before, no? How is television content expected to diversify when we get sweeping generalizations like this: https://t.co/0sHwMVGtDc— Osman Khalid Butt (@aClockworkObi) September 3, 2018
“Viewers are of the opinion that dramas are not depicting the true picture of Pakistan society. Indecent scenes/dialogues/extramarital relations, violence and exploitation are being glamorized, ignoring the ethical bindings of Pakistani society as well as Pemra laws,” it read.
So according to PEMRA, extramarital affairs, violence and exploitation are fiction fairy tales in Pakistan... https://t.co/Ey9NL4BWSd
— Omer (@omerwahaj) September 4, 2018
Critically-acclaimed and lauded for the originality of its content, Pakistan’s TV industry has won several laurels, garnering fans from all parts of the world, with some soap operas now available on Netflix, too. This was after YouTube helped catapult TV dramas to an international audience and amass millions of views in the process. It has also advanced the careers of several TV stars who have gone on to sign international projects. One among them is Saba Qamar Zaman who worked alongside Irrfan Khan in “Hindi Medium” and will soon make her Hollywood debut opposite Ben Affleck.
Horrid! Let me choose what I watch and not choose it for me. Take notice of extremist views being telecasted by mullahs and harassment by media. Not dramas. They are fiction and meant to make you think. Wonder what would have Manto said to this if he was alive today.
— Seemin Suleri (@seeminsuleri) September 3, 2018
The notice caused an almost instantaneous reaction on twitter with stars taking umbrage at the move.
“What, pray tell, is the 'true picture’ of Pakistani society. Not every drama serial is meant to be watched with the family. Pinky & Babloo can be put to bed before, no? How is television content expected to diversify when we get sweeping generalizations like this,” TV and film actor Osman Khalid Butt, who starred in the critically acclaimed ‘Diyar-e-Dil’, said in a twitter post.
