The Pakistani electronic media’s watchdog has banned a commercial of the ice cream brand Igloo.
The wording of the ban order: the ad was na shaista, qaabil-e-ieteraz and – the final tongue twister – was ikhlaqiat ke umoomi qabil-e-qubool mayaraat ke bar ‘aqs.
Uncouth, objectionable and contrary to generally acceptable standards of morality.
This litany of complaints was a tall order for the commercial to have been able to achieve in its 30 seconds. But it appears that the gauntlet had been thrown to these purveyors of filth by the client and these filmmakers responded to this challenge with aplomb. Though one would also like to add that the commercial also cast an aspersion on the good character of members of the higher judiciary and also brought into disrepute our friendship with China, which is higher than the Himalayas, but none of that made it to the Pemra notification. It seems that the fine folks over at the watchdog are slacking.
Much like kids making out shapes in clouds, those on the Almighty’s mission of looking out for smut will (by His grace) find it.