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.

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A huge number of women belonging from all socioeconomic backgrounds, along with men who identify themselves as feminists, took to the streets on women’s day and demanded the rights of women.

The injustice is prevalent across Pakistan highlighted by a lack of education, basic health rights, employment opportunities for women. And perhaps the most fundamental and important of all – a lack of security for all those women who are present in the Pakistani society.

The Aurat march in Pakistan brought a lot of attention to the whole topic. The media shared the impactful speeches which were made at the marches in major cities such as Islamabad, Karachi, and Lahore. This included the sharing of the posters made by individuals themselves.

Many prominent celebrities were a part of the women’s day march and raised their voice. Each year the march causes a bustle in society and conversation regarding this topic is initiated too.

Changes must be made. However, improvement can only come for the women once every individual, regardless of their gender, realizes the importance of this conversation.

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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.

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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!

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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.

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The parents of the man often demand an excessive amount of money and wealth from the bride’s parents. This has caused the ratio of married women in Pakistan to fall because many parents cannot afford millions to give their daughters a dowry.

The Ministry of religious affairs made this decision to prevent the groom’s side from asking for expensive gifts, furniture, cars, and sometimes property. The bill also restricted the parents from giving their daughter gifts worth more than 10,000 pkr.

Additionally, the bill will regulate the marriage functions and events. Part of this regulation is a statement that the food menu of the functions will be limited.

Any violation of this new law may result in a Rs. 200,000 fine, imprisonment or a combination of both. So, the fulfillment of this law is necessary from now on.

The goal of this bill is to regulate the extravagance of the wedding functions. The dowry ban in Pakistan should help put to focus back on the marriage and the couple.

In many other countries like America and Europe, people do fancy wedding functions that, in the end, are just a waste of money. Money that the couple could instead use for their future.

Pakistan is the first Muslim country undertaking a dowry ban in a legal action.

The credit goes to Pakistani women who fought for their rights, and made this an example for all the women of the world. This, perhaps, is one of the best examples of women empowerment in the world.

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Bashir said that she would not only work for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, but would also work on her mission against child marriages.

Ms. Bashir has taken the challenge of ending child marriage in her community where they are considered a norm. Very young girls are regularly offered for marriages in exchange for settling disputes among the families.

Hadiqa shared her experience of selection by the United Nations in the latest class of 17 young leaders for Sustainable Development Goals saying, “About 7,000 young leaders from 172 countries applied for the 2020 class. Luckily, I have been selected from Pakistan by the UN with 16 other young leaders from across the world.”

“It is not just an honor for me, but the whole country,” she added.

Hadiqa had been working against child marriages in the Malakand division since she was 13 years old. Under Sustainable Development Goals, Ms. Bashir will work to ensure quality education, end gender-based violence, end poverty, and empower all women and girls. She indicated that she would work actively to engage the young girls and women in achieving these Sustainable Development Goals.

“As a young leader, my mission of ending child marriages in my region will continue with my new responsibility. An educated woman can do a respectable job and she does not have to rely upon her husband on her own needs”, she added.

In 2015, Hadiqa Bashir had also received the Mohammad Ali Humanitarian Award and Asian Girls Human Rights Ambassador award in 2016.

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Soon after being declared as a “Corona-free country,” New Zealand began reporting one case of the virus after another.

In the UK, Health experts have warned their government that a second wave appears imminent. With this in mind, many other countries are preparing themselves to battle another wave of COVID-19.

Experts cite the lack of implementation of safety protocols, lifting lock-down restrictions too far, and irresponsible behavior of individuals as leading to this situation.

“The evidence is the vast majority of people are still susceptible. In essence, if we lift all measures, we’re back to where we were in February,” said Dr. Mike Tildesley of the University of Warwick. Dr. Tildesley specializes in mathematical modelling of the spread of infectious diseases.

Pakistan is also one of the countries that are continuously reporting new corona cases across the globe. At the time of writing, more than 9 people died due to corona-virus in the previous 24 hours, pushing a total death toll to 6,162.

Beijing also reported a new outbreak of corona cases after thinking the pandemic was near an end in the area. In the middle-east, Iran is one of the most recent countries to announce expectations of a second wave of Corona-virus.

Corona-virus is often compared with the Spanish flu from history. That flu also had a resurgence, and the second wave of it was even more terrifying. Remembering that history, health experts are concerned about the impact of the next wave.

As governments prepare to battle the ‘second wave’ of COVID-19, the focus is complex. It is centered around controlling the spread, while minimizing disruption of daily activities.

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The Education ministry had decided to reopen schools in different phases. In the first phase, grades nine, ten, colleges, universities have welcomed students back. However, secondary and primary classes will resume later in this month.

Prime Minister Imran Khan said in a tweet, “It was our priority and collective responsibility to ensure that every child can go to school safely to learn”.

The National Command Operation Center (NCOC) issued instructions telling parents to ensure their children follow SOPs, which includes wearing masks. The Center also ordered that children should not go to school if they are having symptoms including cough and fever.

In that case, parents should have the child tested. If they any test positive for Covid-19, they are asked to inform the educational institution.

Usage of sanitizer and ensuring social distancing is also advised by NCOC.

Education Minister ‘Shafqat Mehmood’ said parents, teachers, and administrations have to play an active role in upholding all safety measures.

Unfortunately, after the gradual reopening schools, it has been reported that 22 educational institutions have been closed across the country.  These schools reportedly failed to follow SOPs as required by the NCOC.

The agency said that it had to close the schools that were not in compliance in order to curb the spread of Covid-19.

16 of these educational institutions are in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 1 in Islamabad, and 5 in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

It is unclear as to when, or if, these schools will be allowed to re-open.

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