It has the power to influence people’s lives immensely, yet the ever-prevalent social stigmas are treated like the elephant in the room that no one wants to talk about.

Though the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) was primarily responsible for modulating what private TV channels broadcast, it has spent years blocking western and Indian content from Pakistani screens. However, in recent times it has been notorious for consistently banning dramas depicting social taboos.

The board became active, especially since the past year, taking down local serials, left, right and centre. It started from Udaari, a few years back, while the recent hit list consists of the much-anticipated drama ‘Dil na umeed to nahi’. A strong female lead seems to be the common factor in all these dramas.

PEMRA and its controversial ban History.

1. Dil na umeed to nahi – (I haven’t lost hope)

PEMRA reportedly issued a notice to TV One, citing the drama Dil na umeed to nahi for airing ‘objectionable content’. The channel also received a five-day notice to review the telecast and censor the necessary scenes. After the verdict, PEMRA made headlines in print and electronic media alike. Simultaneously, social media was abuzz with netizens calling out the authority for its bias decision. The majority of the audiences opined that they need more such dramas to highlight social issues in society.

The drama features a stellar cast with Yumna Zaidi as the main protagonist, Nauman Ijaz, Yasra Rizvi, Samiya Mumtaz and Wahaj Ali, playing significant roles. The gripping storyline revolves around a prostitute Sumbul, who had a traumatic childhood as a victim of human trafficking. Regardless, she pushes through adversity to emerge as a strong woman who fights against injustice for her fellow call-girls.

Additionally, the story-driven play portrays a mix of social stigmas like child-abuse, prostitution, human trafficking and child marriages.

Dil na umeed se tou nahi comes under the production banner of Kashf Foundation, famous for making serials highlighting social issues like child abuse, sexual harassment and prostitution.

• Udaari (Lit: to fly)

Urwa Hocane and Farhan Saeed starrer Udaari was the first drama serial to bring social evils like sexual harassment, child abuse and rape to Pakistani screen sets.

Udaari hit the television screens in 2016, making waves for its bold representation of an unorthodox subject. The 25-episode narrative brought child sexual abuse to the forefront and helped create awareness among the masses.

After the telecast of the first few episodes, Hum TV received a show-cause notice from PEMRA, asking to explain the airing of a few unpalatable scenes. Other channels also got warnings to produce dramas in compliance with social values or get ready to face the ban.

• Pyar Ke Sadqay (For the sake of Love)

Pyar ke sadqay premiered on Hum TV from January to August 2020. It was another such drama to stir up controversy. This Hum Sitaray serial showcased Omair Rana as an obsessive father-in-law who pursues his son’s naive wife (Yumna Zaidi) romantically and makes consistent advances on her. However, the drama depicted the real picture of our society, as statistics indicate that 34 per cent of sexual abusers are close family members.

However, this time PEMRA issued a press release stating that the drama’s plot went against viewers discretion as they did not want to see such disrespect of “sacred relations”. The board also mentioned that they have been receiving several complaints on a daily basis, since the show went on air.

After repeated notices to TV channels, PEMRA finally announced a ban on the rerun of 2 dramas, one of which was Pyar ke sadqay.

All around the world, Entertainment industries are venturing into creative projects and genres, educating audiences on societal issues. However, in Pakistan, such bans on dramas depicting societal challenges does nothing but hinder the creative process of the Pakistani entertainment industry.

Instead of banning social campaigns, PEMRA can ask channels to shift broadcast timings to after 9 PM that cater to mature audiences. Doing so will be a win-win situation for all, the audience as well as the makers.

The post PEMRA Bans more TV Dramas which depict Social Stigmas appeared first on CitizenNewsWire.

Pakistani society is becoming aware of women’s rights and Aurat March involves countless women marching on roads with placards (against social values and in favour of women’s rights) in their hands. These placards called for equal opportunities for women, justice for victims of abuse, violence, and harassment, labor rights for women, daycare centers at the workplace, dowry, female fetus abortion, economic justice, and highlighted several major issues.

The march was labeled as propaganda by elitist women to instill western values in the lower roots of the society. Despite making it controversial by a large segment of society, next year in 2019, thousands of marchers came out instead of so much resistance by anti-feminists in Pakistan. This time the marchers didn’t only include people from the upper classes, but a large number of participants came from rural areas, underprivileged classes, trans community, and so on. The participants claimed that the sole purpose behind Aurat March is to claim equal rights for women/trans and don’t promote any Agenda.

The game got even bigger in 2020. The activists didn’t just rely on placards instead they had prepared a manifesto to show their demands and planned to build alliances in different segments of the society. Famous politicians including PTI’s (Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf) Shireen Mazari also supported the Aurat March and showed solidarity with the participants.

Artists have played a major role for Aurat March participating and earning wide media attention. Theatres, songs, poems, speeches, social media posts were made by artists in solidarity with Aurat March.

Famous actress Mahirah Khan has announced that she will be a part of Aurat March 2021. According to her, she will be participating to let people know that she is a part of this ideology. She added that the march might not be able to make a difference, but the impact it makes is huge. Mukhtara Mai, a social and gender activist, who was also a victim of gang rape in her past, also tweeted a video message of her inclusion in Aurat March 2021.

Last year, a large number of celebrities attended the march and some even shared their experiences of harassment and molestation. These celebrities included Mira Sethi, Adnan Malik, Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy, Nadia Afgan, Osman Khalid Butt, Hajra Yamin, Ali Tareen, Saba Hamid, Samina Ahmed, among many others.

The placards that led to the nationwide outrage and made the march controversial were “Mera Jism, Meri Marzi” (My Body, My Choice), “Apna Khana Khud Garam kro” (Make food for Yourself), Follow Women’s Consent, Forced Hijab, and Taboo topics like menstruation, and the list goes on.

Religious segments on the other hand are not happy with the March and are trying their best to stop it. There have been even reports of threats by extremist groups as well. The agenda for 2021 revolves around budget increase for health, and trans and disabilities rights. Let’s see what this year holds for the newly born ritual.

The post Aurat March – a Women’s Day Ritual in Pakistan appeared first on CitizenNewsWire.

Ahmed Mujtaba, aka ‘Wolverine’, from Pakistan, defeated Rahul Raju, aka ‘The Kerala Krusher’ from India in a lightning-fast round through well-aimed kicks and a solid game strategy.

Shortly after the two athletes touched gloves, signalling the start of the match, Mujtaba delivered a kick to Raju’s leg which temporarily disoriented the latter, but he recovered quickly enough to deflect a quick follow-up punch from Mujtaba.

Raju attempted to return the move with a punch of his own but was halted by Mujtaba’s quick movements as the Pakistani athlete landed another kick. Attempting to break free from this barrage, Raju delivered a pawing jab and an overhand right only to have it blocked by Mujtaba, forcing the former to temporarily retreat. 

The two men then circled each other for a few seconds, each attempting to probe for weaknesses in the other’s defence. This was soon interrupted by a wave of roundhouse kicks that each athlete attempted to deliver upon the other, although with limited effectiveness for both sides.

Eventually, Mujtaba attempted to wear down Raju’s defence by using a three-piece boxing combo, only to have it skilfully deflected by Raju whose defence remained resolute to this point. Raju displayed a very impressive defensive capability during this portion of the match.

Raju then adopted an offensive stance while Mujtaba attempted to rest himself by opting for a strong uppercut with the hopes of causing the Pakistani athlete some serious damage. This attempt failed as Mujtaba’s quick reflexes allowed him to immediately jump back.

Not wishing to allow his offensive to go to waste, Raju decided to place all his hopes into a wild overhand right to knock out his opponent. Mujtaba’s fast reflexes were one of his biggest assets during the match as he consistently managed to evade or block Raju’s attacks by reacting quickly.

Unfortunately for Raju, his opponent’s great reflexes and quick reaction time not only allowed him to avoid the powerful shot but also to figure out how to counter it immediately. Mujtaba surged forward with his overhand right which landed squarely on Raju’s chin, unblocked, undeflected and unhindered.

This blow carried such force that it caused Raju to become visibly disoriented for a moment.  Taking full advantage of his opponent’s moment of confusion, Mujtaba delivered one final shorthand which ended the match and placed victory firmly within his hands.

The referee soon announced the end of this match and declared that it had lasted only an astonishing 56 seconds. In this impressive display of martial prowess, it can be seen just how much effort and skill these athletes invest into their sport.

Both Wolverine and the Kerala Krusher performed brilliantly as trained athletes and demonstrated true sportsmanship in their conduct.

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After many rounds of plans and proposals, ultimately in January 1971 Pakistan and the Soviets signed an agreement under which the USSR agreed to provide financial and technical assistance to set up a coastal-based integrated steel mill at Karachi.

The foundation of the project was laid by Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto on the 30th of December, 1973. With the aim of “Building the Nation, Serving the Nation”, the public organization proved to be one of the most fruitful and profitable assets of Pakistan.

However, PSM entered its death zone in the year 2008, when it started incurring losses. An accumulated loss of Rs. 169 billion have been recorded in the last 10 years. In 2015, PSM owed Rs. 35 billion to SSGC (Sui Southern Gas Company, Pakistan), which led to its default, and the facility was closed by the PML-N government. The government has been paying the salaries of 14,753 employees without being at operational capacity since 2015. The number of employees was reduced to 9350 in 2019.

Now the Government of Pakistan has decided to lay off all the workers of the Pakistan Steel Mills. For now, 4544 employees are being fired by the Government, and their termination letters have been dispatched to their addresses.

The government of Pakistan has been facing severe backlash for the decision of laying off and privatization. This backlash comes from the employees of Pakistan Steel Mills and the opposition parties – especially the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP).

However, Federal Minister for Industries and Production Hammad Azhar has defended the Government’s decision saying that the “Governments have paid Rs. 92 billion for a bailout so far,” he added, “The monthly salary of a closed mill is Rs. 750 million.”

He explained that PSM owns a total of 19,000 acres of land out of which the Government is planning to sell out 1300 acres to cover up the losses incurred. A private investor will create their own organizational and management structure and will run the mill with the latest technology.

For a period of four months, 250 employees would be retained for the execution of the employees’ termination plan and other related work.

Pakistan Steel Mills is one of the biggest examples of Riches to Rags and people hope to see PSM rise and shine again. But who is responsible for all of this? The question remains unanswered!

The post Pakistan Steel Mill Closure puts Thousands out of Work appeared first on CitizenNewsWire.

The potential ramifications for this decision are quite enormous as, apart from altering the domestic political arrangement of the nation, granting Gilgit Baltistan status as a province also has vast ramifications for the Kashmir conflict between Pakistan and India.

Gilgit Baltistan, although not ethnically or culturally contiguous with the wider Kashmir region is nevertheless considered a part of it. The Republic of India however, maintains that Gilgit Baltistan is a part of Indian Kashmir and is illegally occupied by Pakistan. Granting the territory provincial status will undoubtedly cause tensions between the two nations to flare up considerably.

Aside from upsetting its neighbor, Pakistan has also garnered the ire of Kashmiri nationalists and separatists whose desires for a Kashmiri ethno-state clearly clash with Pakistan’s attempt at integration.

It’s interesting to note that Pakistan’s new decision to create a Gilgit Baltistan province is not too dissimilar to India’s earlier attempt to end Kashmir’s special status. This indicates a wider trend of territorial consolidation between the two countries. A trend where each seems to want to strengthen their hold on their respective portions of the Kashmir valley.

Perhaps, it could even be said that the creation of a Gilgit Baltistan province could possibly lead to the end of the Kashmir conflict in its entirety.

Both states seem to favor consolidation of the territory that they already occupy, and both are deeply opposed to any calls for an independent Kashmiri state.

For Kashmiri nationalists and separatists, this attempt to ‘divide their homeland’ is nothing short of a betrayal from Islamabad and, a signal that maybe Pakistan is no longer committed to Kashmiri freedom or unity.

The post What a Gilgit Baltistan Province means for Kashmir and Pakistan appeared first on CitizenNewsWire.