The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) took its discomfort for love too far and banned hugging and caressing scenes on television. As expected this didn’t sit well with the public.
So say they didn’t hold back the roasting is an understatement.
PEMRA Issue a Notice to Muhammad Rizwan And Babar Azam For Hugging in Front of Camera After #PakvsIndia Match. pic.twitter.com/TWWsPVJFWm
— Gohar Janjua (@janjuagohar99) October 25, 2021
On directives from PEMRA, TV channels can not air any ‘caress/hug’ scenes. These directives have now been challenged before the Lahore High Court. Justice Jawad Hassan issued notices to PEMRA and the Federation in this regard. The LHC has sought their replies.
Additionally, Barrister Muhammad Ahmad Pansota, who is also the Chairman of Council of Complaints, PEMRA, Lahore, was asked to assist the court in the matter. It was the Barrister that shared the news on Twitter.
The Advice by PEMRA, directing TV channels not to air any “caress/hug” scenes, was challenged before the Lahore High Court. Justice Jawad Hassan while issuing notices to @reportpemra sought my assistance as Chairman, Council of Complaints, Lahore to assist him on the subject. pic.twitter.com/xZMM7GDEuU
— Muhammad Ahmad Pansota (@Pansota1) October 26, 2021
Meanwhile, Netizens on Twitter pointed out that if hugs make PEMRA uncomfortable, then all manner of hugs must be censored.
#PEMRA ye LGBT scenes on air ho skte hyn? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/ZNJupxES0q
— Uroo Sa (@ElChEeNiGeL) October 24, 2021
Even pointing out even more affectionate displays of sentiments.
Someone call PEMRA pic.twitter.com/6iG4x8iaXX
— Talal Farrukh (@3rdworldgamer) October 24, 2021
Though shaming online is mostly limited to women much like Pakistani society.
*an actress hugs on pakistan television*
Pemra: pic.twitter.com/MY5cTH0w56— Alivepool (@feyzeab) October 23, 2021
Is that just the burn from the roast or do we really smell smoke?
https://twitter.com/BingNorah/status/1451813161951109129
Is this meant to be a compliment for their acting skills?
https://twitter.com/BingNorah/status/1451821245570322438
https://twitter.com/hibzter/status/1451820683726557187
Of course, people brought up how ridiculous the emphasis on policing television content is when the country has real problems.
“… and when I was told the economy is collapsing, opposition is getting bolder, religious mobs are marching towards the capital, and the military is angry, I immediately called PEMRA and asked it to ban obscenity in Pakistani dramas.” pic.twitter.com/ygwg8DtDQR
— Nadeem Farooq Paracha (@NadeemfParacha) October 23, 2021
That’s not the end of the Imran Khan roast.
I wonder if these would be okay for PEMRA 🙃 https://t.co/P8hlpWU335 pic.twitter.com/of5oHyjHWD
— Syed Zain Raza (@SydZainRaza) October 23, 2021
This is a legit misconception though.
"Intimacy of married couple are glamourised" – PEMRA making it sound like Pakistani people stay virgin even after marriage 😂😭
It's just hilarious that no one bats an eyelid when domestic violence & abuse is glorified on screen but love and affection gets all the restrictions— ’’ (@_artcauldron) October 23, 2021
PEMRA researching on possibility of asexual human reproduction next.
— ’’ (@_artcauldron) October 23, 2021
Not everyone had a sense of humor about the situation and things got dark fast.
PEMRA finally got something right:
Intimacy and affection between married couples isn’t “true depiction of Pakistani society” and must not be “glamourised”
Our “culture” is control, abuse and violence, which we must jealously guard against imposition of such alien values pic.twitter.com/MJQekyT1nH
— Reema Omer (@reema_omer) October 22, 2021
https://twitter.com/SohaTazz/status/1451828624307499011
Especially when it comes to policing ‘immoral content’ on television it doesn’t really have to do with onscreen displays of affection.
pemra will ban hugging but not this and honestly im not even surprised pic.twitter.com/pjMxE76HBg
— mahmsd (@mohemtmnnnt) October 23, 2021
What do you think of the PEMRA banning hugs on TV, as well as the lawsuit now challenging the move? Let us know what you think in the comment section.