Editor’s Note: The views expressed here are those of the author’s and don’t necessarily represent or reflect the views of MangoBaaz.

By: Haris Ibrahim

I will say this loud and clear: OUR ELECTED OR APPOINTED OFFICIALS ARE USELESS.

Their policies do not reflect our population. Take a minute and ask yourself, what really works in this country? Our public education system is in shambles, our medical system denies treatment to transgenders, our religious scholars says we can “lightly” beat our women, our stacks of cash are found from the homes of our elected officials, they ban Pakistani movies that show the government as corrupt but allow actual corruption to run rampant. Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority plays on a whole other level of stupidity.

We as a population talk about change but we are content in our discontent. As long as we can voice our issues and curse our leaders we are happy turning a blind eye.

Well, I have a serious issue with the PEMRA’s ban of contraceptive, family planning and birth control advertisements.

And here I am, voicing my discontent. Pakistan has the 6th largest population in the world and it keeps growing exponentially. These ads help educate our people and create an awareness about the benefits of having a small family. Now let me be very frank, this is not a problem for the rich and educated, that group knows about family planing and contraceptives. If not, they can afford large families.

And it’s not about kismet ki deyn either. Kismet se you’ve also been blessed with a brain, use it. And know when you can actually afford to raise a cricket team’s worth of children.

You have to talk about sex with your children

As far as the complaint goes that little children need to be protected from such ads, then I say to you, have a conversation about sex with your kids. From this computer screen I can hear a lot of you gasp, but please, when are you going to have a conversation about sex with your kids? Kids are being molested in Pakistan at a phenomenal rate. Almost everyone has a story about their childhood and being inappropriately touched or worse, by a servant or a family member. Sexual education in this country is non existent. And now, thanks to PEMRA, it’s only going to get worse.

Sex happens, its natural and it is not inconceivable that people may have it outside the sanctity of marriage.

Isn’t it better that those people who do end up having sex at some point before (or even after their marriages) are protected from STD’s and unwanted pregnancy? Our orphanages are filled with unwanted children. And our government wants to ban awareness about contraceptives?

The only thing left to say is may Allah save Pakistan, because we sure as hell won’t.

About the Author: Haris is a graduate from University of Windsor and is recently back in Pakistan, who feels is important to raise your voice on the issues that matter to you.

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