ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s media regulator yesterday asked TV and radio stations to avoid offending religious sentiments and corrupting the nation’s youth in their Valentine’s Day broadcasts.
Stopping short of an outright ban, the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulator Authority (PEMRA) circulated a letter, saying it was acting on complaints that celebrating the day was not in line with “our religious and cultural ethos”.
“Such events have been perceived as a source of depraving, corrupting and injuring the morality of Pakistani youth and violating the code of conduct developed by PEMRA,” it said.
“All satellite TV channels/FM stations are requested to honour viewers’ sentiments/opinions while conceptualising any programme or celebrating any event connected to the Valentine’s Day,” it added.
Supporters of Pakistan’s main religious party staged a noisy protest against Valentine’s Day on Tuesday in the northwestern city of Peshawar, denouncing it as un-Islamic and calling for a “day of modesty” instead.
AFP
