Atiqa Odho responds to PEMRA’s ban on dramas

KARACHI: Earlier this month, PEMRA issued a ban on airing two drama serials including Ishqiya and Pyar Ke Sadqay. According to Section 27 of PEMRA Ordinance, the content was not in line with religious and social values. Moreover, drama serial Jalan that is presently on-air on ARY Digital is also being scrutinized on the basis of complaints against the content. If the channel does not revisit the content, PEMRA may ban that too.

In a recent turn of events, veteran artist Atiqa Odho responded to the notice. She played a key role in recently concluded drama serial Pyar Ke Sadqay that is also under attack.

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I want to clarify my stand on what I said in a recent interview regarding my co star @omairana. I was talking about how it was awkward doing romantic scenes with him for the first time as we had never worked together before. Omair was very professional and an excellent artist to work with. He is my friend and I have great regard for him and his family so please stop trying to build controversy where it doesn't exist. It is tragic to see how people are trying to tarnish his and his wife's reputation without any proof of injustice done. My experience with them as a family is a wonderful one as they are polite, civilized, educated and decent people. Stop harassing them as they do have friends in this industry that will take action against such misconduct and misinformation as well. Atiqa Odho

A post shared by Atiqa Odho Official (@atiqaodhoofficial) on Aug 10, 2020 at 8:48am PDT

The industry veteran questioned PEMRA on muzzling voices that reflect the change our society needs. “Television drama brings up important social problems which need correction. It helps educate people about mental health, social injustices, hypocrisy, abuse, misuse of power, etc, etc etc. If we start to brush things under the carpet and not bring them out for discussion, we will never grow as a nation towards positive change.

Stop treating viewers as if they are dumb and don’t have exposure to the rest of the world! #Pemra should be making policies to create more social awareness through Pakistani drama and not reducing content to falsified garbage.”

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Really #Pemra? Is this the democratic way of life? Do we muzzle voices that help reflect changes needed in our society? Television drama brings up important social problems which need correction. It helps educate people about mental health, social injustices, hypocrisy, abuse, misuse of power, etc, etc etc. If we start to brush things under the carpet and not bring them out for discussion, we will never grow as a nation towards positive change. Stop treating viewers as if they are dumb and don't have exposure to the rest of the world! #Pemra should be making policies to create more social awareness through Pakistani drama and not reducing content to falsefied garbage. Tabdili Tabdili Tabdili !!!!!! Insaf Insaf Insaf !!!!!!!!

A post shared by Atiqa Odho Official (@atiqaodhoofficial) on Sep 8, 2020 at 1:15am PDT

The notice further stated that PEMRA has already warned content creators to avoid anything that goes against religious and social values. It reiterated that they have been receiving complaints against content that questions the dignity of certain relationships. Channel owners, production houses have been informed about what is acceptable and what’s not. If anyone does not abide by the guidelines, PEMRA will ban the project without any notice.

It is important to note that Ishqiya and Pyar Ke Sadqay concluded earlier this year and are prohibited from re-airing. Jalan, however, is presently on air. Contrary to what the notice mentions, that they are receiving complaints against the content, Jalan is consistently topping the rating chart.