Court Imposes Ban On Celebration Of Valentine's Day

(@ChaudhryMAli88)

Court imposes ban on celebration of Valentine's Day

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th Feb, 2017 ) : The Islamabad High Court (IHC) Monday imposed ban on publicity and promotion of Valentine's Day through media or any other means till further order.

Jutice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui directed the government to ensure that no such event could be held at public places as well. He was hearing a petition moved by a resident of capital, Abdul Waheed.

"Nothing about the celebration of Valentine's Day and its promotion is spread on electronic and print media. No event shall be held at official level and at any public place," the court directed.

The bench directed Chairman Pakistan electronic media regulatory authority (PEMRA) to ensure that "all tv channels stop the promotion of Valentine Day, forthwith". Majid Nadeem Bhatti and Shafqat Ullah Khan advocates for the petitioner had adopted the stance that the matter relates to the feelings, emotions, norms and values of Muslim community at large.

The petitioner argued that the celebrations, infact promote immorality, nudity and indecency, which was against our rich traditions and values. Traders of Islamabad used to decorate their shops with balloons, cards and gift items clearly promoting the idea of Valentine's Day.

The bench while issuing notices to the respondents sought parawise comments in ten days time and adjourned the case till then. Secretary Ministry of Information, Secretary Ministry of Information Technology, Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) through its chairman, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) through its chairman, and Chief Commissioner Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) have been made respondents in the petition.