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No 'circus' or neelam ghar will be allowed to be broadcast on TV this Ramazan, Islamabad High Court (IHC) Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui said on Tuesday while hearing a case concerning the implementation of the broadcast regulator's code of conduct for Ramazan transmissions and morning shows on television.
A Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) representative present for the hearing submitted the watchdog's guidelines for Ramazan transmissions and assured the court that all channels would have to abide by them.
Justice Siddiqui ordered that the airing of the Azan (call to prayer) five times a day must also be made mandatory for all channels. "There is no bigger breaking news for Muslims than the Azan," he said.
"Channels air dance, music and advertisements at Azan timings. PTV has also stopped airing Azan," he regretted. He warned that a ban would be imposed on Ramazan transmissions if this "circus" continued.
"If things are to continue this way, let's remove 'Islamic Republic' from Pakistan's name," he said.
The judge also remarked that it was the responsibility of the state to protect "Islamic identity and beliefs".
Upon inquiring, he was informed that the Pakistan Broadcasters Association's (PBA) counsel was on leave. "Let him know that no move [to circumvent the rules] will work this Ramazan," he said.
He then asked for a report on how many of the 117 channels operating in Pakistan air the call to prayer before adjourning the case till tomorrow.
Comments (43) Closed
Full banned and content of religious program should be approved by designated religious body no one should be allowed to publish any content related to religion on any media without their approval period.
I like the move .... because it will make happen what I wish to happen in Pakistan.
Good news. More signs that Pakistan is maturing as a nation and not mindlessly imitade foreign cultures.
It means this Ramazan people of Pakistan will focus on their prayers :)
Glad to hear something good from court after such a long time. Love you Judge....
Excellent. Very well and on time decision.
Bravo. Another commendable decision from IHK. Such programs especially morning shows must be banned forever to protect Islamic values.
Good Move. Really Appreciated.
Appreciated,,,, very bold move.... Not only in ramadan, in common days the azan should be broadcasted... And channels should not play vulgar and nasty advertisements
Good one
The ban should have been not only during this Ramadan but all Ramadans in the coming years.
really appreciated.
Useless TV shows must go. TV channels should not be allowed make a mockery of Ramazan. Freedom of operating restaurants should continue though.
Extremely Good Decisions, We have to do character building of this nation.
Excellent!
I don't understand how Educated Pakistanis support all this. Such commitment should be towards work, development and value addition to the country.
Namaz is compulsory in or outside Ramadan, then why Azan compulsory during Ramadan only ?
Bravo!!
This is one of the best decision i have heard in recent times. Our country is going out of control in every aspect, and someone must stand up to stop it. Salute to honorable judges! Please keep it up and the nation is with you and every person/ institution who is trying to fix the issues.
Very good news. At least , we are free from actors and actresses giving lectures on Islam.
Similar rule should be placed for youtube and online entertainment channels
Back to square one,.
Great directive, we need more people like Honorary Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui
Yes, please.
Excellent direction from Supreme Court. The type of governance which should be exercised by the government is being exercised by the courts. The reason is simple if you don't do the work, someone else will do the work.
The more of religion you load on people, the people will go away from it . Let them decide, educate them through media . The benefits the tolerance and patience in Ramzan. eg. when there is time for Iftar , people who are heading for home and get late on there way ,Teach them not to drive in a rush and run into accidents. Learn patience through Ramzan.
Very good.
This is not the job of a ihc judge, there is no compulsion in religion.
I appreciate this step, however a bit relax approx is to time box the program, currently it seems to prolong 2-4 hours taking entire prayer time. If this can be restricted to 1 hour or so it still make sense, obviously the content should be approved
Good decision.
Majority of the TV channels are under the grip of anti Pakistan lobby. If you give them an inch (space) they will grab a mile. So be extra careful.
@imtiaz faruqui People generally attracted to bad deeds and activities. In order to keep them on right track a control is a must or people would never realize and see right path. This is good decision and it must be enforced with sternly so that actors do not astray naive people.
Very good action.These program were source of distraction only.
Salute you sir, No other words to describe my feelings!
A very good decision by the court. There should be constant monitoring of contents as they affect the thinking of masses.
Good decision.
Excellent decision Sir. This nation owes to the Court. Govt is extremely impotent and unable to carry out even their day to day functions. Shame on PMLN esp PPP and other parties which were involved only and only in corruption.
A great step by the Judiciary to protect and safeguard the basic thread of our what we are. In the name of freedom and press independence the opportunist and anti-state are breaking all norms of our culture and heritage. The Judiciary only institution with integrity and merit need to make sure that tools of communication to be used for character building, proper education and reflection of our society rather then slaving copy of the foreign culture and themes.
Azaan Should be mandatory on all Channels All the time not just during Ramzan.
Also TV channels should not be told what they can and what they cannot run during Ramzan It is up to the people of Pakistan what they wish to watch and what they don’t wish to watch. The remote control is in the hand of the viewer .
excellent move!
May be good decision but how you have right in meddle in every affair. Let you pass suggestions/concerns to state only.
Very good decision. This should have been done much earlier. Really appreciate.
Pakistan is improving