Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday restrained the advertisement in print and electronic media regarding the promotion of Valentine’s Day.

Justice Athar Minallah of the IHC heard the case filed by a citizen Abdul Waheed, resident of Sector G-9/4 ,challenging the advertisements of Valentine’s Day in the media.

The court also restrained the government to organise any event regarding the day.

The petitioner prayed the court to stop and ban all activities, holding of all parties and events at public places and broadcasting of programmes on the media channels relating to celebrating the so-called Valentine’s Day.

He also prayed the court to declare the Valentine’s Day as against the teachings of Islam.

The learned counsel submitted that in the cover of spread of love, immorality, nudity and indecency was being promoted, which was against our rich traditions and values.

The electronic and print media is promoting the event, which was neither the event of Muslims nor other Pakistanis and if somebody wants to profess about this, he can do so in his personal capacity and not like Eid festivals.

After hearing the arguments, the court directed the respondents to ensure that nothing about the celebration of Valentine’s Day and its promotion be spread on the electronic and print media. No event shall be held at the official level and at any public place.

The court directed the Chairman Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority to ensure that all the TV channels stop the promotion of Valentine’s Day. It may be mentioned here that the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the Ministry of Information Technology, PEMRA, PTA and the Chief Commissioner had been nominated as respondents in the case.