ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has conditionally allowed the broadcast of a TV serial depicting the story of a rape victim.

The serial ‘Hadsa’, which began airing on Geo TV on August 21, was banned by the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) on a complaint that the show was based on the 2020 motorway gang rape case. The show’s producers have denied the allegation.

During the proceedings on Monday, the counsel for the TV channel contended that Pemra had issued a prohibition order on the broadcast over a complaint filed by Barrister Khadija Siddique.

He further contended that no right of hearing was extended to the applicant before passing the order, nor any show-cause notice was served to them.

The lawyer for the electronic media regulator argued the broadcast was restricted as the serial replicated the incident of the Lahore-Sialkot Motorway gang rape.

The plot was highly inappropriate and disturbing and portrayed a negative image of Pakistani citizens, and the regulator was empowered as per Section 27 of the Pemra Ordinance to pass a prohibitory order first and then refer the matter to its Council of Complaints for appropriate recommendations, the lawyer argued.

It is a settled law that every individual has the right to freedom of expression and the right to do lawful trade, business or profession, but in this case, a prohibitory order was passed by Pemra in light of Section 27 and the provision added through Pemra Amendment Act, 2023, he added.

After hearing the arguments, the court suspended Pemra’s prohibitory order and sought an undertaking from the producers not to air the alleged controversial scene in its fifth episode.

In its order, the court noted that the Pemra Ordinance empowered the authority to pass a prohibition order in writing after giving reasons. “Though short reasons have been mentioned in the impugned order, the record reveals that the authority did not afford the right of hearing to the applicant/appellant before passing the impugned order, which is mandated by Article 10-A of the Constitution,” the IHC noted.

The producers of the serial told the court the rape scene, was only shown in the fifth episode, though they reassured the court “this particular scene has been portrayed in a manner consistent with the accepted standards of decency recognised in Pakistani society”.

Published in Dawn, September 19th, 2023

Opinion

Editorial

Confused state
Updated 05 Jan, 2025

Confused state

WHEN it comes to combatting violent terrorism, the state’s efforts seem to be suffering from a lack of focus. The...
Born into hunger
05 Jan, 2025

Born into hunger

OVER 18.2 million children — 35 every minute — were born into hunger in 2024, with Pakistan accounting for 1.4m...
Tourism triumph
05 Jan, 2025

Tourism triumph

THE inclusion of Gilgit-Baltistan in CNN’s list of top 25 destinations to visit in 2025 is a proud moment for...
Falling temperatures
Updated 04 Jan, 2025

Falling temperatures

Vitally important for stakeholders to acknowledge, understand politicians can still challenge opposing parties’ narratives without also being in a constant state of war with each other.
Agriculture census
04 Jan, 2025

Agriculture census

ACCURATE information relating to agricultural activities is vital for data-driven future planning, policymaking, as...
Biometrics for kids
04 Jan, 2025

Biometrics for kids

ALTHOUGH the move has caused a panic among weary parents mortified at the thought of carting their children to Nadra...