Twitter Questions Pak’s Priorities as it Bans V-Day Media Coverage

Happy Valentine’s Day (Not)!

(Photo: The Quint)

On Wednesday, 7 February, Pakistan’s media regulator banned television channels and radio stations from broadcasting any programs related to Valentine's Day.

The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority’s (PEMRA) Twitter handle directed the media organisations to ensure that nothing about the celebrations of Valentine’s Day is spread on the Electronic and Print media. It also advised them to desist from anything that promotes Valentine’s Day.

The reason given for this ban was that Valentine’s Day is against the teachings of Islam. Abdul Waheed, a petitioner, had filed a case in early 2017 contending that the celebration of Valentine's Day was spreading "immorality, nudity and indecency" in Pakistan.

As a result, on 13 February 2017 Judge Shaukat Siddiqui issued a binding notice ordering a complete ban on any broadcast programming related to Valentine's Day, as well as other restrictions. The ban continues this year.

While most people were disappointed and questioned the priorities of the Pakistan government, there were some who welcomed the ban, for similar and varied reasons.

Here’s how the Pakistanis reacted to the big V-Day ban.

It’s all About Priorities!

Some Call it a Good Step

It IS Annoying, But...

Let’s Ban it All!

Hello, Moral Policing

What Difference Will it Make?