Supreme Court bans Indian TV shows

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 29 October 2018

The Supreme Court of Pakistan has reinstated a ban on Indian television shows after setting aside an earlier judgment by the Lahore High Court. This decision aims to regulate foreign content on local channels more strictly.

Summary

ISLAMABAD – The Supreme Court of Pakistan has reinstated a ban on the transmission of Indian content on local television channels, setting aside an earlier ruling by the Lahore High Court (LHC).

Chief Justice Saqib Nisar announced the ruling in a case filed by the United Producers Association pertaining to the broadcast of foreign content on local television channels in the Supreme Court Karachi registry, Dawn.com reported.

"They are trying to (obstruct the construction) of our dam and we cannot even ban their channels," Nisar said as he ordered the broadcast of Indian shows to be "shut down".

The judge said the authorities should "only air appropriate content", according to the report.

In 2016, the 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 seen as retaliation to a similar action by the Indian entertainment industry against Pakistani content and artistes.

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. - Agencies

KEY POINTS:

• Supreme Court reinstated ban on Indian content
• Decision overrules Lahore High Court's previous ruling
• Chief Justice emphasizes broadcasting appropriate local content
• PEMRA had originally imposed a ban in 2016
• The ban addresses retaliatory actions from India against Pakistani media