ISLAMABAD: As the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday passed an order against Valentine’s Day celebrations, the capital administration revoked permissions granted to hotels, restaurants and clubs to celebrate the event.

Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui issued the order on a petition seeking a ban on Valentine’s Day for being un-Islamic. The judge directed the secretaries of the ministries of information and broadcasting, information technology, the chairmen Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra), Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and the chief commissioner Islamabad “to ensure that nothing about the celebration of Valentine’s Day and its promotion is spread on the electronic and print media. No event shall be held at the official level and at any public place. The chairman Pemra is directed to ensure that all TV channels shall stop the promotion of Valentine’s Day.”

When contacted, Deputy Commissioner Islamabad Mushtaq Ahmed said he had started implementing the court order.

“We have stopped issuing no-objection certificates (NOCs) to hotels, restaurants and other public places for holding events and programmes to celebrate Valentine’s Day.” He said the district administration had also cancelled NOCs already issued for holding functions in connection with the day.

Islamabad High Court rules that no function in connection with the event shall be held at official level or any public place

When asked whether the district administration would take action against those celebrating the day on private premises, the deputy commissioner said since the court order did not say anything about Valentine’s Day parties in private places the administration cannot raid any house or other private place on mere suspicions.

Another official said they would not stop anyone from selling flowers or other items which may be associated with Valentine’s Day nor couples sitting in parks and other public places would be questioned.

The IHC bench also issued notices to the respondents seeking their replies and comments in 10 days.

The petitioner submitted that immorality, nudity and indecency were being promoted on Valentine’s Day which was against our traditions and values.

The petition said as per the Constitution, the government shall make all reasonable arrangements to promote Islamic values and culture throughout the country without discrimination. In the past, a number of programmes were telecast on different media channels with regard to the event on February 14.

Media channels have been promoting the idea to celebrate the event. Special parties and events were organised at public and private places on the day. Traders of Islamabad used to decorate their shops with balloons, cards and gift items, clearly promoting Valentine’s Day.

The petitioner added that celebrating the day was against the Quran, Sunnah, Islamic injunctions, values and culture of our society. He said celebrating such an event, particularly at public places, was against the Islamic norms and values. It is the responsibility of the respondents to prevent such an activity not only on the media but at public places as well.

The petitioner requested the court to direct the respondents to take measures in preventing such activities from happening either through media or at public places.

Published in Dawn, February 14th, 2017