The Islamabad High Court has reversed the suspension imposed by PEMRA on a highly controversial drama series.
The decision has triggered a wave of reactions within the entertainment industry. Supporters of creative freedom have hailed the court’s decision as a victory for artistic expression, while critics argue that it may set a precedent for allowing content that goes against societal norms.
At the heart of the controversy is the content of the drama series, which had initially led to its suspension.
In September 2020, a French lady of Pakistani descent was gang-raped in front of her three children on the Sialkot-Lahore Highway. The victim called the journalist after the drama aired, and according to the journalist, she has been experiencing trauma ever since.
When the phone rang, I never expected this to be Z’s call. Z was the person whom I had spoken to a couple of years ago post her traumatic experience on motorway. Those were tumultuous times when everyone’s attention was focused on Z, while she was grappling to keep her sanity…
— Fereeha M Idrees (@Fereeha) August 27, 2023
Hadiqa claimed that her drama is not about the motorway incident and that before beginning the project, she inquired about the storyline.
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After various complaints, PEMRA had decided to ban the drama.
— Report PEMRA (@reportpemra) August 30, 2023
Despite the controversy, the Drama will now be aired again.
IHC has suspended PEMRA’s order banning #Hadsa
Court says drama can be aired provided the r*pe scene in episode 5 isn’t “repeated/broadcasted in any manner in the subsequent episodes” pic.twitter.com/kRPwHWSazI
— Reema Omer (@reema_omer) September 18, 2023
With the drama series now back in circulation, its creators and producers are likely to face both praise and backlash. The controversy surrounding the show has undoubtedly boosted its viewership, but it has also exposed the challenges of navigating the fine line between artistic expression and public sensibilities.