PEMRA has issued a report warning the Pakistani television industry for being bold and not holding true to actual events in our society. Our dramas have been notably very true to societal issues at hand, touching upon taboos such as child marriages and dowry, and have shed much-needed light on marginalized communities such as our transgenders too.
However, PEMRA disagrees and has issued an incredibly bizarre report calling out Pakistani dramas for ‘deteriorating every day’ and do not reflect the ‘majority of Pakistani society’
The report suggested that our dramas have been showing far too many ‘indecent scenes’ along with ‘extramarital relations’ and ‘violence,’ all that collectively have been shrouding PEMRA laws.
The order listed out all the things wrong with Pakistani dramas and stated how ‘plots/themes…are influenced by alien cultures/societies, portraying fictional society’
Allegedly dramas have been showing far too much ‘glamor,’ with ‘bold scenes’ overshadowing ‘religious, social, cultural and ethical values’ of the country. Apparently, numerous complaints have been made to the board by the general public, and our television industry has been ignoring the ‘ethical bindings’ of society… I’m sorry but WTF???
LOL at this report, here’s the full order below
Source: @reportpemra/Twitter
Actor Osman Khalid Butt, who was last seen in ‘Baaghi,’ (the critically acclaimed drama loosely based on Qandeel Baloch’s life) was having NONE of it
He correctly expressed how not every drama can be family orientated, because then that really isn’t staying true to telling raw stories that plague our society. Dramas cannot be ‘generaliz[ed]’ and if orders like these are put forward, then there cannot be any form of television diversification.
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
‘Good television with strong content holds a mirror up to society, and is meant to be uncomfortable,’ said Osman
Friendly reminder that this is the same body that tried to ban Udaari because of similar 'complaints' from naik parveens et al. Good television w/ strong content holds a mirror up to society, and is meant to be uncomfortable. If you don't like what you see, change the channel.
— Osman Khalid Butt (@aClockworkObi) September 3, 2018
And he isn’t the only one flipped off by the audacious report…various Pakistanis have condemned the order
Pemra first should tell us how many cases it won in corts. And stop moral policing. People has eyes and remote in hands. What they like they will watch. Who the heck you guys are.
— 🇵🇰ذرہ بے نشاں 🇵🇰 (@KhanWrites) September 3, 2018
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
So, extramarital affairs, violence, and exploitation are non-existent in our society? Kaunsi charas pi kar yeh notification likha hai, #PEMRA?
— Zeeshan Mahmood (@zeeshaandaar) September 4, 2018
Bullshit alert! Harassment and child sexual abuse happens within families in this country. What weed are you guys smoking? If someone isn't comfortable with something being played on tv, CHANGE the channel.
— Afiaa. (@AfiaAMahmood) September 3, 2018
Well Osman, i guess we now have Pemra's permission to make dramas based on true Pakistani society.
I suggest:
1. Law and Order: Ahmadi Victims Unit
2. Sexual Harasser's Day Out
3. CSI: Kasur
4. Big Conspiracy Theory and finally the ever popular
5. Better Call Sau…di— Tony Khan (@anthonypermal) September 3, 2018
So, extramarital affairs, violence, and exploitation are non-existent in our society? Kaunsi charas pi kar yeh notification likha hai, #PEMRA?
— Zeeshan Mahmood (@zeeshaandaar) September 4, 2018
Bold plots are wrong?? 😲
Better to formulate a system to have age recommendation for dramas based on content instead of this blanket statement. It is a global practice now and can easily be put in place.— Arifa Saher (@arifasaher) September 3, 2018
Do you agree with PEMRA’s statement?