Modest dressing, no game show: Religious minister proposes Ramzan transmission guidelines

Islamabad: Minister for Religious Affairs Noorul Haq Qadri has written a letter to Prime Minister Imran Khan about ‘Ramazan Transmission’, listing several suggestions including that game shows should not be part of Ramazan transmission.

In a letter shared by the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony on Twitter, Noor-ul-Haq mentioned six guiding principles of Ramadan broadcasting on the complaints issued by the public.

The letter said that the promotion of religious and professional harmony during the holy month should be the top priority of the Ramazan broadcast. It further said that “controversial issues and professional topics should be avoided.”

The letter also stated that the show hosts should be equipped with the necessary knowledge, adding that the dress code of the hosts and guests should be in accordance with the holy month.

It further said that “respect for holy figures and adherents of different sects should be kept in mind.” Moreover, broadcasting game shows and frivolous programmes during Sehr and Iftar should be avoided. It added that immoral and inappropriate advertisements should be banned during the month.

The letter also stated that the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication and Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) should issue appropriate instructions to TV channels in this regard.

2۔ رمضان نشریات میں متنازعہ مسائل، مسلکی بحث سے ہر ممکن اجتناب کیا جائے۔
3۔ رمضان نشریات کے میزبان ضروری دینی و مذہبی علم سے آراستہ ہوں۔
4۔ میزبان و مہمانوں کا ڈریس کوڈ ماہ رمضان کے تقدس کے مطابق ہو۔
5۔ مقدس شخصیات/مسالک کے ماننے والوں کا احترام ملحوظِ خاطر رکھا جانا چاہئے
2/3۔

— Ministry of Religious Affairs & Interfaith Harmony (@MORAisbOfficial) March 17, 2022