Pakistan court lifts ban on airing of Indian teleplays
Although Pemra's ban on the airing of Indian films on television channels was lifted in February, permission to air teleplays or television dramas was not granted.
Lahore, July 18 : A Pakistani court on Tuesday lifted a ban imposed restrictions on airing Indian teleplays by Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority by calling it a unreasonable restriction.
Granting the permission to private television channels to screen Indian teleplays, the Lahore declared PEMRA's ban as null and void given that the federal government had no objections regarding the same.
Although Pemra's ban on the airing of Indian films on television channels was lifted in February, permission to air teleplays or television dramas was not granted. The petitioner's counsel Asma Jehangir argued in court today that a ban on Indian teleplays appeared strange while Indian films were being openly aired.
LHC Chief Justice Mansoor Ali Shah said the Indian content with objectionable or anti-Pakistan content could be censored but there was no need for a complete ban.
"The
world
has
become
a
global
village.
How
long
unreasonable
restrictions
could
be
imposed,"
he
said.
He
further
said
when
Indian
movies
are
being
screened
in
cinemas
in
the
country
what
justification
the
Pemra
has
to
ban
them
on
TV
channels.
The
judge
also
snubbed
the
Pemra
for
making
the
airing
of
Indian
content
on
private
television
channels
an
issue
when
the
federal
government
had
stated
that
it
had
no
objection
on
it.
Shah inquired the Pemra to tell the court whether the Indian government had issued a notification to ban Pakistani content and its overall policy about it. In October last year, Pemra had banned Pakistani private channels being operated through cable network from airing Indian content.
M/s
Leo
Communications,
TV
channel
Filmazia's
parent
organisation,
had
sought
revoking
the
Pemra
ban.
Petitioner's
counsel
argued
that
the
private
TV
channels
should
also
be
allowed
to
broadcast
Indian
teleplays
as
they
fall
within
the
definition
of
"entertainment"
under
the
licence
agreement
with
the
Pemra.
Under the Pemra licence, Filmazia is allowed to broadcast 10 per cent of foreign content including Indian. "The channel because of running foreign (Indian) content became very popular and received highest viewership ratings across the country, advocate Jehangir said, adding Pemra without citing any legal reason in October last issued a circular abruptly banning all Indian content on cable channels in Pakistan.
"The government is indulging in selective patriotism as Indian movies are allowed to be exhibited in cinemas all over the country showing its double standards, she said.
LHC Chief Justice Mansoor Ali Shah said that Indian content, which are objectionable or anti-Pakistan, could be censored but there is no need for a complete ban.
PTI