Pakistani parliament’s standing committee for information technology has taken a strict notice of airing of foreign soaps and TV serials on Pakistani channels in prime time( 7pm-10pm). The aim behind this notice is to prevent Pakistani media form foreign content, which includes, advertisements featuring foreign artists and the other and the most important is the Indian and Turkish Dramas. The committee has also requested the government to ban any of such content.
Almost every Pakistani artist and media personality has recorded his protest against these urdu dubbed foreign dramas by some leading channels. Television artists have contended that the foreign soaps will have an adverse impact on the domestic industry.
The meeting was attended by Information Secretary Rasheed Ahmed, PEMRA Chairman Abdul Jabbar, and television actors Qavi Khan, Laila Zuberi and Maria Wasti. The committee further suggested that PEMRA should strictly monitor television channels and cable operators and take prompt action for violation of rules.
The Panel asked the PEMRA to have a strict eye on these private Tv channels, and ensure the follow-ment of the “code of conduct” provided by the authority. Information Secretary Ahmed agreed with the proposal that foreign serials damaging local culture should be banned.
