PEMRA bans 'indecent' cell phone advert

JournalismPakistan.com | Published 8 years ago

ISLAMABAD – Regulator PEMRA Friday announced a ban on Q Mobile E-1 advert featuring Fahd Mustafa for being indecent and in violation of its rules and regulations.

The ban comes into effect Saturday from 6:00 pm. PEMRA warned of action against channels airing the advert.

The commercial shows the male model getting ready for a date. As he heads out his car won’t start. He hails a cab but the cabbie zooms away. Then his date phones him. Where are you, she asks. He is unable to answer back, his phone battery going dead.

By the time he makes it for the rendezvous, he is disappointed to find his date not there; probably she has left with someone else.

The scene then switches to the phone model being advertised with claims of faster charging, implying that you will never miss a date if you have this cell phone.

Dive Deeper

Journalism at a crossroads as press freedom erodes in Pakistan

December 21, 2025: Pakistan’s journalism faces growing repression through intimidation, PECA cases, economic pressure, and enforced silences, raising urgent questions about press freedom.

Matiullah Jan calls out journalist unions over cozy ties with authorities

December 20, 2025: Senior journalist Matiullah Jan criticizes journalist union leadership at an Islamabad conference, calling for reform, youth inclusion, and a stronger collective response to Pakistan’s media crisis.

Tarar says Rs86 crore worth of government ads given to Dawn Media Group

December 20, 2025: Information Minister Attaullah Tarar says the government allocated 86 crore in ads to Dawn Media Group, stressing transparency and that media groups manage employee payments.

Islamabad court grants post-arrest bail to journalist Sohrab Barkat

December 19, 2025: Islamabad court approves post-arrest bail for journalist Sohrab Barkat in a case linked to controversial videos and tweets filed by the National Cyber Crime Agency.

JournalismPakistan cofounder Stephen Webb releases Dusk memoir

December 19, 2025: JournalismPakistan cofounder Stephen Webb releases Dusk, a poetic memoir blending memory and myth, reflecting on Punjab villages, faith, and belonging shaped by decades in journalism.

Pakistan minister flags AI impact on advertising jobs

December 18, 2025: Pakistan’s information minister warns AI is disrupting advertising jobs and invites proposals to protect creative professionals, signaling an early policy debate on AI and employment.

PTI announces boycott of select TV anchors and talk shows

December 18, 2025: Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf announces a boycott of several prominent TV anchors and talk shows, directing party leaders and spokespersons to avoid appearing on the listed programs.

Pakistan to launch BEEP secure messaging app for officials

December 17, 2025: Pakistan plans to launch the BEEP secure messaging app for government officials by June 2026, modeled on WeChat, with end-to-end encryption and oversight by NITB.

Newsroom

Indian media grapples with AI ethics in newsrooms

December 24, 2025 Indian media organizations are debating ethical rules for artificial intelligence as newsrooms adopt AI tools, raising concerns over accuracy, accountability, and the future role of journalists.

Media warn Democratic bill could chill press freedom

December 24, 2025 Media groups warn that a Democratic-backed bill could expand defamation liability, raising concerns over press freedom, investigative reporting, and potential chilling effects across U.S. newsrooms.

Kashmiri journalist Irfan Mehraj marks 1,000 days jailed

December 24, 2025 Kashmiri journalist Irfan Meraj has spent over 1,000 days in detention by Indian authorities in Kashmir, renewing concerns over press freedom and legal pressure on independent media.

South Korea passes tougher penalties for false media reports

December 24, 2025 South Korea’s parliament passed a law imposing tougher penalties on the media for false information, raising concerns from journalists over press freedom and investigative reporting.

Israel extends foreign media restriction law to 2027

December 24, 2025 Israel’s Knesset has extended emergency legislation allowing limits on foreign media outlets until 2027, prompting renewed concern from press freedom groups over long-term impacts on reporting.