Inappropriate, explicit content: Petition filed against 'Lazawal Ishq' in IHC

Islamabad: A petition has been filed in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) against the reality show Lazawal Ishq on allegations of sharing inappropriate and explicit content.

The first episode of Lazawal Ishq was released on YouTube on 29 September, and since then, viewers have expressed strong disapproval over the show’s content.

The show is hosted by Ayesha Omar, who maintains that Lazawal Ishq is not a dating show. However, many viewers have accused the programme of promoting obscenity in an Islamic country.

Following the release of the show’s teasers and trailers, social media users had earlier called for a ban on it. In response, the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) clarified that the show was being aired on YouTube, which lies outside its regulatory jurisdiction.

After several episodes were released, a petition was submitted in the Islamabad High Court, urging action against the show by both PEMRA and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA).

According to a report published in a leading national English newspaper, the petition was filed by Mohammad Faik Shah, Chairman of the Aman Taraqqi Party, who argued that the show’s content is immoral and contrary to societal values.

The constitutional petition asserts that Lazawal Ishq promotes indecency under the guise of entertainment and freedom of expression, and contends that such vulgarity cannot be justified in the name of artistic or expressive freedom.

The petitioner has requested the court to direct PEMRA and PTA to enforce stricter monitoring of immoral content on digital platforms. Guidance has also been sought regarding the role of the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) in such matters.

Mr Shah stated that while he supports art and freedom of expression, he cannot condone moral decay or indecency in the name of freedom. He described the petition as an effort to safeguard the country’s cultural and religious fabric.

The federal government, PEMRA, PTA, CII, and the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) have been made respondents in the case.