Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) in its circular issued has directed all its electronic media stakeholders to duly observe the sanctity of the holy month of Muharram-ul-Haram.
The directives issued by the Chairman PEMRA, Dr. Abdul Jabbar has asked all the media outlets to observe the teachings of Islam and has warned from relaying or distributing any program against the sanctity of this holy month.
The circular stated that no program shall be aired or distributed in contravention to the PEMRA Code of Conduct which inter-alia refrain from passing derogatory remarks about any religion or sect/community or uses or words contemptuous of religious sects and ethnic group or which promotes communal and sectarian attitudes or disharmony. Similarly, no program would be tolerated which may provoke hatred against individual or group on the bases of race, ethnicity and religious orientation.
The electronic media has been directed to craft special programs persuading viewers to shun sectarian activities and discard animosity, hatred, malevolence and differences by following the great Islamic principles of human values such as faith, tolerance, courage, brotherhood and fraternity for the prosperity and welfare of our country as well as Muslim Ummah.
The Chairman PEMRA said that any disconformity to afore-stated directives would be taken seriously that may result into imposition of heavy fines, suspension / revocation of licenses of violators under PEMRA law.