Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) recently issued a directive on scenes showing affection between married couples on screen has led to netizens questioning the move. PEMRA has instructed in an official document that no “hug/caress scenes” should be aired. The reason provided by the authority is that such expressions of affection are against Islamic teachings and do not portray a “true picture of Pakistani society.”
The document has been circulating on social media platforms garnering criticism from the users. Twitter users are questioning why PEMRA has issues with the depiction of consensual acts of romance on screen but not with scenes showing domestic abuse.
The document states, “On the prevalent trends in the Pakistani drama industry, PEMRA is not only receiving complaints from the general public on the Pakistan Citizen Portal (PCP) and PEMRA Complaints Call Center and Feedback System but also criticized on social media/WhatsApp groups.”
It also says, “A considerable stratum of society believes that dramas are not depicting true picture of Pakistani society. Hugs/caress scenes, extramarital relations, vulgar/bold dressing, bed scenes and intimacy of married couples are being glamourized in utter disregard to Islamic teachings and the culture of Pakistani society.”
One twitter user said such actions from the regulatory body lead to sexual frustration in the society.
