Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony has ordered Ramazan shows to be hosted only by educated people who are well-versed on religious issues.
The Ministry has issued six guidelines to be strictly followed by TV channels while broadcasting Ramazan transmission. Noor-ul-Haq Qadri asserted that the promotion of Islamic teachings and sectarian harmony should be the focus of the transmission.
“I would like to draw your attention to a very sensitive issue which has been observed since the last few years that during Ramadan transmissions different programs and shows were presented by a number of hosts who due to lack of proper Islamic education hardly qualify to present such programs. As a result, different controversies are created and the general public rush to social media trolling such content and also complain to the ministry and other authorities,” he said in a statement issued.
Most importantly, he has ordered the presenters to follow a modest dress code in reverence of Ramazan. “No person shall be allowed to discuss controversial religious or sectarian issues. Sanctity of religious personalities of all sects/ religious communities shall be ensured,” read the notification issued by the minister.
رمضان ٹرانسمیشن سے متعلق عوامی حلقوں کی شکایات پر وزیر مذہبی امور @NoorulhaqPir نے @PresOfPakistan اور @PakPMO کو رمضان نشریات کے حوالے سے 6 رہنما اصول ارسال کر دیے:
1۔ معاشرے میں مذہبی و مسلکی ہم آہنگی کا فروغ رمضان نشریات کی اولین ترجیح ہونا چاہئے۔
1/3 pic.twitter.com/yQMnBIBv1c— Ministry of Religious Affairs & Interfaith Harmony (@MORAisbOfficial) March 17, 2022
6۔ سحر اور افطار کے اوقات میں گیم شو اور دیگر غیر سنجیدہ پروگرامز نشر کرنے سے اجتناب کیا جائے۔ نیز ماہ رمضان میں غیر اخلاقی، غیر مناسب اشتہارات و پروگرام نشر کرنے پر پابندی لگائی جائے۔
وزارتِ اطلاعات، پیمرا / ٹی وی چینلز کو مناسب ہدایات جاری کی جائیں۔ @NoorulhaqPir
3/3— Ministry of Religious Affairs & Interfaith Harmony (@MORAisbOfficial) March 17, 2022
Read more: Pakistan condemns Israeli violence against Palestinians during Ramazan
No game shows after Suhoor/Iftar
Game shows and recreational activities should not be aired right after Suhoor/Iftar. Also, games and entertaining stuff should not be a part of the religious programs, he added further in the notification.
Noor-ul-Haq Qadri has prohibited TV channels to air immoral, indecent content including advertisements during Ramazan.
These guidelines have been issued to regulate the behavior and conduct of TV channels that transgressed the sanctity of the holy month of Ramadan. Musical and dance shows are also broadcasted in Ramazan that breach the sanctity of Ramazan.
TV audience too had objected to the musical and fancy content being aired in Ramazan. They have urged PEMRA and relevant authorities to issues guidelines for broadcasters. The decision of Ministry of Religious Affairs to allow only educated people to host Ramazan shows is to help propagate the right knowledge on Islam.