SC reinstates ban on airing of Indian content on TV channels
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The Supreme Court (SC) on Saturday reinstated a ban on the transmission of Indian content on local television channels, setting aside an earlier verdict by the Lahore High Court (LHC).
Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar was hearing a case filed by the United Producers Association pertaining to the broadcast of foreign content on Pakistani television channels in the SC Karachi registry today.
"They are trying to [obstruct the construction] of our dam and we cannot even ban their channels?" the top judge fumed as he ordered the broadcast of Indian shows to be "shut down" before adding that the authorities should "only air appropriate content".
In 2016, Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) had imposed a complete ban on airing Indian content on local television and FM radio channels.
The decision was largely seen as a tit-for-tat move after similar actions were taken by some channels and the entertainment industry in India against Pakistani content and artists.
In 2017, the LHC had lifted the Pemra-imposed ban, declaring it null and void as the federal government had no objections regarding the same.
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On DawnNews
Comments (134) Closed
Oct 27, 2018 01:49pm
Ban Indian channels as well.
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Oct 27, 2018 01:53pm
Good step. Next ban all news about India .and stop playing cricket with India.
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Oct 27, 2018 01:56pm
Very good decision by the CJP. He should also forbid the airing of Indian filmi faces in advertisements made for various Pakistani products, as well.
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Oct 27, 2018 02:01pm
Give us alternate DTH ......
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Oct 27, 2018 02:07pm
ok
fine
this will be good for both countries
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Oct 27, 2018 02:08pm
Good
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Oct 27, 2018 02:11pm
Good move, no more foreign channels who spread propaganda against our honorable army, judiciary and other institutions and favour some of their close associates and politicians. Also, we have to closely monitor some of our channels, selected anchors and politicians, who continuously malign our institutions and portray black picture of our country - we all know, who they are.
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Oct 27, 2018 02:13pm
Pakistan closing its door.
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Oct 27, 2018 02:18pm
Good. Avoid the garbage.
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Oct 27, 2018 02:19pm
@M. Emad closing doors of vulgarity, propaganda, cultural attack, ethics and so on? Yes then it’s a great decision. Which doors you want to open?
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Oct 27, 2018 02:20pm
A very good order by CJP. I hope this will be implemented strongly this time. We have been tired of seeing Indian Stuff on all channels during prime time. It is not that I'm against Indian dramas as some are very good indeed but when open the TV, we should know that we are in Pakistan.
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Oct 27, 2018 02:25pm
@kitkat
Please don't get sarcastic. Lately there has been too much Indian stuff on our local Channels. I doubt if Pakistani stuff is even 50% of total Indian content that is being shown on Pakistani TV.
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Oct 27, 2018 02:34pm
Ban Indian muvies in cinemas if you have guts...
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Oct 27, 2018 02:39pm
Ban morning shows, concert them to educational or moral building platforms.
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Oct 27, 2018 02:41pm
Good decision. Also ban all indian movie in pakistan which is the main revenue generating source for india
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Oct 27, 2018 02:42pm
Then why are you dying to play cricket with India when India doesn't want to play with you
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Oct 27, 2018 02:43pm
Great move by the wonderful Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Keep it up and hang on tough.
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Oct 27, 2018 02:47pm
@Syed major source f income for Indian movies s pakistan market? Srsly? It wont even affect Indian movie industry
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Oct 27, 2018 02:53pm
Just curious to know , what will India loose in this regard?
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Oct 27, 2018 02:54pm
People will watch it on YouTube.
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Oct 27, 2018 03:01pm
Yes, get rid of all Indian channels, from now on only Chinese channels should be allowed
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Oct 27, 2018 03:15pm
Excellent move with perfect timing and should be calculated move. Keep it up and be confident and firm on this decision
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Oct 27, 2018 03:21pm
Well done...
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Oct 27, 2018 03:23pm
Good decision.
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Oct 27, 2018 03:25pm
Stop showing indian movies.
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Oct 27, 2018 03:30pm
@Ajin Vincent on the contrary pakistani cinemas are surviving on ondian movies.
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Oct 27, 2018 03:38pm
Brilliant decision.
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Oct 27, 2018 03:38pm
Ban indian movies on busses as well.
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Oct 27, 2018 03:40pm
Will this help?
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Oct 27, 2018 03:45pm
Why did CJP did not ban showing of Indian movies? These should also be banned forthwith.
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Oct 27, 2018 03:49pm
Ban channels on dish service as well
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Oct 27, 2018 03:52pm
@Babu to what?
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Oct 27, 2018 03:55pm
We should at least allow a maximum of 20% foreign content on our TV channels. Shutting down ourselves from the rest of the world is not the answer in today’s globalised society.
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Oct 27, 2018 04:07pm
Pakistani channels are much better and more interesting than Indians therefore should be banned permanently.
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Oct 27, 2018 04:08pm
Good news
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Oct 27, 2018 04:15pm
Please ban News about India also in media.
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Oct 27, 2018 04:20pm
For the first time, I want to thank CJP. So many ads made in India are aired regularly on Pakistani TV. These need to be banned. Any company that approaches Indian models or advertisers must be fined and such content banned from airing.
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Oct 27, 2018 04:38pm
Not sure if this will help anyone.
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Oct 27, 2018 04:46pm
But why is there so much demand for Indian contents in the first place. No one wants to know!
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Oct 27, 2018 04:48pm
Indian culture is deeply Penetrated and can't be stopped . Industries are survived due to hindi movies.
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Oct 27, 2018 05:02pm
It should include Indian adds made in India by local companies or MNCs
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Oct 27, 2018 05:05pm
More than imposing ban we need to educate our masses about the cultural assault waged by inimical states .willful rejection by the people is durable counter
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Oct 27, 2018 05:13pm
@Waseem Bahadur Excellent... well said!
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Oct 27, 2018 05:14pm
All the folks hailing the decision here would be searching for the Indian content on the other browser tab..
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Oct 27, 2018 05:17pm
@shahzad Khaliq . Their channels haven’t got anything interesting so don’t know why you want alternatives. Our channels have far superior quality dramas and programmes
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Oct 27, 2018 05:22pm
@Asif superb
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Oct 27, 2018 05:25pm
BAN all Indian content in Print n Electronic media. But who will make sure from ARY HUM GEO etc...
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Oct 27, 2018 05:27pm
Forbidden fruit is always sweet
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Oct 27, 2018 05:31pm
Pakistanis will watch all content illegally. Why not ban bollywood songs in parties and functions?
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Oct 27, 2018 05:33pm
Ban them.....
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Oct 27, 2018 05:34pm
We should ban our own news channels as well as most of these are just spreading non-sense and negativity.
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Oct 27, 2018 05:36pm
Now would be a good time to ban all Pakistani artists from performing in India.
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Oct 27, 2018 05:37pm
"only air appropriate content".
But there is nothing "appropriate" apart from anti-Pakistan propaganda!
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Oct 27, 2018 06:00pm
Great decision by The CJ.
We must protect our culture. Indian content or channels should not be aired here. They don't air our content or channels. We must be nationalistic. It's high time!
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Oct 27, 2018 06:05pm
Very good decision by SC to enforce ban on Indian stuff on our medid. What is wrong with our public to watch their movies and by their stuff when India has no good intentions for Pakistan? Love our country Pakistan.
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Oct 27, 2018 06:06pm
Well done and well said ……..keep it up
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Oct 27, 2018 06:28pm
I am shocked how come other Indian content continue to feature in Pakistan. They mistreat our cricketers, actors, singers and what not.
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Oct 27, 2018 06:28pm
@Nisar Ahmed. Because they haven't fulfilled their agreement. Money is owed to Pakistan.
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Oct 27, 2018 06:31pm
Salute !
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Oct 27, 2018 06:33pm
What are Indians fuming about? They banned our artists and never even ever aired Pakistani channels in India. Atleast Pakistan tried.
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Oct 27, 2018 06:35pm
All criticizing here will secretly go and watch these very shows.
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Oct 27, 2018 06:37pm
Judge sahab try banning Indian Movies in theaters. Take it as a dare. Looking forward.
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Oct 27, 2018 06:37pm
Good move..Please also ban the artiest from your side who is coming to India for fame and money...
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Oct 27, 2018 06:43pm
@NACParis If Pakistani content is better, then people will automatically watch it over outside content, and people are wise enough to make their own decisions, banning things basically says you don't trust the people at large with their choices.
Piracy and criminal behavior increases with banning things which ultimately harms the country.
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Oct 27, 2018 06:51pm
This is why a judge should not make policy. How will this impact India at all? And what does this have to do with dams.
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Oct 27, 2018 06:51pm
Doesn't Pakistan do this every few years or so? What was the outcome of all the previous bans?
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Oct 27, 2018 07:01pm
What concerns me is that this is a policy decision that should rest with the Executive Branch of the Government. Not through the courts. Courts should only be allowed to hear cases in which a crime against current penal code or any other subversion of rights enshrined in our Constitution. I therefore also have trouble with how suo-moto actions are taken on the same principle.
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Oct 27, 2018 07:07pm
Good job !
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Oct 27, 2018 07:08pm
Ban this nonsense forever for all !
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Oct 27, 2018 07:26pm
Mian Saqib Nisar sir please ban Indian movies as well.
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Oct 27, 2018 07:37pm
Pls ban Indian channel, as they didn't allow our channels in India even they didn't show our movie.....
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Oct 27, 2018 08:02pm
Go to entertainment page of DAWN and see how much bollywood is there, this shows Pakistan cannot put a realistic ban on Indian content.
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Oct 27, 2018 08:32pm
as a Indian i fully support this.
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Oct 27, 2018 08:46pm
@Neo their is not any agreement their is only an Mou and Mou is not an agreement go and study in law the meaning of mou
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Oct 27, 2018 08:50pm
No more Indian rubbish on our TV screen please!
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Oct 27, 2018 08:54pm
Very good move. Thank you.
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Oct 27, 2018 08:58pm
I thought it was already banned in Pakistan. Indians are not going to lose anything by the banning.
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Oct 27, 2018 08:59pm
Let the ban stay in place. India has shown nothing but hostility towards us. Besides, it’s better for our kids if we stay away from Indian vulgar contents.
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Oct 27, 2018 09:01pm
Good decision. Since Indian TV channels don’t air Pakistani content, so we should do the same. No need for confidence-building, because India is in no mood for that.
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Oct 27, 2018 09:06pm
Excellent move. It was destroying our culture. But at the same time, don't want mullah stuff on the screen all the time as well.
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Oct 27, 2018 09:10pm
Good decision sir
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Oct 27, 2018 09:11pm
It seems the CJ is running the country. He is so. good that it is a pity he is going to retire soon.
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Oct 27, 2018 09:13pm
Courts can interpret the law and government decisions. They cannot take executive role and pass rules. Then, what for the Government and Parliament ?
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Oct 27, 2018 09:31pm
Yes, there should be like educational sessions, cummunication skills and many more things ...our young generation are wasting time to see such thing
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Oct 27, 2018 09:42pm
Bravo! we're fully supported chief justice of Pakistan move.
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Oct 27, 2018 09:44pm
I think Pakistani actors, singers should also not work in Indian movies.
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Oct 27, 2018 10:07pm
Excellent move by CJP. Good job.
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Oct 27, 2018 10:09pm
@Syed huh?! India's main revenue is from showing its films in Pakistan? Brother, you need a serious lesson in geopolitical finance.. :)
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Oct 27, 2018 10:09pm
@Garib Awam ki_Awaz: Why don't people simply switch channels?
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Oct 27, 2018 10:33pm
Some Pakistani popular products ads cast all Indians in it and is aired every day.Supreme court must intervene and asked the channel/ producer of the ad to present these casts before court if they are Pakistani and present in Pakistan.
This practice is being carried since many years and no check.
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Oct 27, 2018 10:53pm
Bad JUDGEMENT!
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Oct 27, 2018 11:09pm
Thank you Mr. Chief for having needful measures against Indian channels. We should step forward in other lines too.
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Oct 27, 2018 11:42pm
Excellent decision CJP. With wise and incorruptible men like you and PM Khan, Pakistan is in good hands. Paks can hope again. Pakistan can be great again.
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Oct 27, 2018 11:49pm
Please ban indian movies also in cinema
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Oct 28, 2018 12:08am
Only the judge can tell in what way India is obstructing the construction of dams..it’s a news for me
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Oct 28, 2018 12:23am
Banning of media and channels is neither democratic nor in the interest of the public’s rights. The courts or the government does not have the right to prevent the people from reading or watching whatever they want. In the end, such restrictions don’t work anyway
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Oct 28, 2018 12:26am
Great move. Ban everything Indian including Bollywoodies on billboards and other ads.
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Oct 28, 2018 12:34am
Finally a Judge who shows justice and understanding of Indian agenda
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Oct 28, 2018 12:42am
Good job CJP. A permanent ban on everything India would best.
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Oct 28, 2018 02:36am
All channels and contents should be monitored and cleared by the only organisation we trust & respect. We were better off when PTV was the only channel. We should protest against the enemy funded channels and ban them. The CJP should take action against them and put heavy fines/jail sentences if there are violations.
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Oct 28, 2018 03:09am
Whoever is calling this brilliant decision are sick in head. The ego on either side will not do any good. Let’s try to open up and bridge the gap. A good gesture from us will influence the hearts across the border. We have more commonalities than differences. Why we always think that showing flexibility will prove that we are weak? Are we having a complex? I personally wish for peace, good relations with neighbors countries and prosperity for all
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Oct 28, 2018 03:37am
lmao what logic is that !!! india and pak should completely break all relations and recall envoys. India has nothing to gain with it anyway. It's not like our economy is crumbling
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Oct 28, 2018 03:53am
Complete ban would be the correct thing.
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Oct 28, 2018 04:56am
Why not break the diplomatic ties with India as well ?
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Oct 28, 2018 06:25am
It makes little difference. All contents available online for free or through IPTV box.
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Oct 28, 2018 06:49am
Going back two steps a day. Bad economy and increasing hostility towards neighbour. This insulation from modernity and openness is the bane of Pak.
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Oct 28, 2018 07:03am
@Syed
Very funny
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Oct 28, 2018 07:17am
@Ajit how much Sayed you will deal.
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Oct 28, 2018 07:23am
@Syed Pakistan doesn't even have 200 cinema halls and you call revenue generating big market. Open your mind first before closing other senses.
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Oct 28, 2018 07:28am
To take away the freedom to watch what we please is not democracy your honor. The dam has nothing to do with what people watch
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Oct 28, 2018 07:48am
This action will certainly build dams and who knows rivers too. Obviously intellectual growth has clearly stifled in Pakistan. Probably IMF will teach them some lessons. If not, they always have option to become an autonomous region of China, the greater Xinjiang. Pakistanis will make great student(talib an) at the Chinese re-education camps.
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Oct 28, 2018 07:59am
Who in Pakistan has the authority on such matters, the CJP or the Government ? Is this a legal issue ? Clearly the CJP has over stepped.
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Oct 28, 2018 10:26am
I hope now CJP will be in a position to build the dams in pakistan easily.
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Oct 28, 2018 11:22am
I want to give u suggestion ... Plz don't ban the channels because ba ning the channels is not the solution of the problem.... we all are waiting for the channels to be back again .. Please SHC lift the ban and try to solve the problem in peaceful manner . I am sorry if I had said something wrong . Kindly lift the ban
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Oct 28, 2018 12:02pm
Is ban a solution for speedy development or a declaration of individual's whim ?
Indian industry does not depend on Pak audience but Pak cinema owners may loose their bread &butter instead.
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Oct 28, 2018 05:23pm
right decision at right time...!! should be permanent.
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Oct 28, 2018 06:22pm
Indian shows are running all over the world. This will not make any difference
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Oct 28, 2018 06:56pm
Good,nice,universal decision,thank u PSC.
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Oct 28, 2018 07:29pm
,Sir Does CJP knows about Indus Water Treaty? I doubt.
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Oct 28, 2018 09:12pm
Ban is an obsolete tool in the present day context. In an age of internet one can always find a way to watch what one wants to watch. There is this unending cyber world where all these contents can be found and watched and the writ of Supreme Court of Pakistan do not run there.
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Oct 28, 2018 11:04pm
Sad decision for the public in Pakistan.
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Oct 29, 2018 12:08am
Mean while Supreme Court in India giving landmark verdicts at par to a progressive Indian society.
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Oct 29, 2018 12:11am
@Asif That is funny
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Oct 29, 2018 12:12am
@Love Pakistan Then why ban. Let them compete. Let the superior channels win
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Oct 29, 2018 01:20am
@Zak "Finally a Judge who shows justice and understanding of Indian agenda"
Also protecting Pakistan from the barbaric culture of India.
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Oct 29, 2018 01:44am
@Asif -- I an no fan of Indian telecasts, movies or whatever, but I am confused. Who is in charge here? Doesn't this kind of decision falls under the purview of the executive branch? Who elected the Supreme Court to make foreign policy decisions?
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Oct 29, 2018 02:16am
@Ajin Vincent I am not sure why Indians are getting insecure about this decision if they think it’s not going to affect them. We have made the decision in our benefit. Our country our rules. Well done Mr CJ Nisar Sb.
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Oct 29, 2018 03:27am
I think Pakistan TV is doing a great job , and our culture and beliefs are different from Hinduism , so there is no need to see Indian dramas , Indians should stop killing Muslims just for the sin of eating cow meat, maybe we can then think .No country in the world has imposed a ban on eating cow meat , but in India you will be risking your life if you do so .
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Oct 29, 2018 04:52am
thank you CJP. put this in place for good !
we don't want indian content as its leading pakistan media towards obscenity as well.
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Oct 29, 2018 05:18am
I hope Pakistanis learn the habit of reading good books with an OPEN CRITICAL mind. This would be a good time to start with distracting movies out of the way?
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Oct 29, 2018 05:25am
I would be the first person to ban their content, it is offensive and below our social values.
I fully support the CJ and every one who does not see any Indian film/tv and does not listen to their radio.
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Oct 29, 2018 07:22am
@ga Fuming? Not here in these comments, they're just laughing at you!
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Oct 29, 2018 07:29am
@Love Pakistan So why not people should be given the choice to switch off the channels that he or she does not like. In any democracy, people should have the right to make choices. If the judge respect the constitution then he should not restrict the rights of the people.
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Oct 29, 2018 07:38am
Good decision. Now stick to it.
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