04 November 2004	Thursday	20 Ramazan 1425

PESHAWAR, Nov 3: The anti-obscenity committee announced on Wednesday that all cinemas in the Peshawar district would remain closed during the last 10 days of Ramazan.

The committee held a meeting under the chairmanship of capital police chief Masood Ahmed Paracha at police lines which was also attended by members of the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal, Peshawar district, including Hakim Abdul Wahid, Haji Ihsanul Haq, Maulanan Abdus Salam Salfi, Maulana Abdul Malik, Haji Dost Mohammad, Hassan Sheikh, Shujjat Ahmed Khan, the SP investigation, and SPs of the Peshawar city cantonment.

The MMA's district anti-obscenity committee and the police have launched a campaign to curb vulgarity and obscenity in Peshawar.

The meeting expressed serious concern over the rise in obscenity and vulgarity in the provincial metropolis and recommended measures to control the menace.

It also took note of the sale of pornographic material, including CDs and vulgar Eid cards, which tend to destroy the character of young people.

Hakim Abdul Waheed said that putting an end to obscenity and vulgarity was part of the manifesto of the MMA government and no compromise would be made in that behalf.

He said Peshawar was the centre of all such activities which should be curbed to make the city a role model for other parts of the province.

The meeting expressed concern over reports of obscene and vulgar music being played in commercial vehicles, especially buses, which represented a violation of the law.

It was noted that cases of harassment of women at public places and pick-pocketing and other such crimes were on the rise.

The screening of pornographic films on the cable and easy availability of x-rated CDs at places like Dhaki Naalbandi and the Board Area on a large scale was described as alarming.

The meeting suggested a number of proposals for the eradication of vulgarity and obscenity. It decided that activities in the name of recreation will not be allowed on the eve of the coming Eid-ul-Fitr and all cinemas will be closed during the last 10 days of Ramazan.

The police have divided Peshawar into three zones under the command of SP city, SP cantonment and SP rural to make the campaign successful. The MMA also nominated its members in the three zones who would keep close liaison with the SPs for the success of the drive.