In a significant move, the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has taken a stance by banning the broadcast of Geo’s drama series titled ‘Hadsa.’ This drama, which revolves around the heart-wrenching Lahore-Sialkot Motorway rape incident from a few years ago, has faced intense backlash for its portrayal of the heinous crime.
The drama, aired daily at 7:00 pm since August 21, 2023, has raised concerns nationwide due to its potential to trigger traumatic feelings for the victims and their families. PEMRA has flooded with complaints from viewers, expressing their distress about the drama’s content. These concerns largely channeled through PEMRA’s official Twitter handle @reportpemra, urging the regulatory body to take immediate action and restrict the drama’s broadcast within the country.
Prominent legal figures have also joined the discourse. Barrister Khadija Siddiqui, backed by Advocate Supreme Court of Pakistan Barrister Muhammad Ahmed Pansota, has officially lodged a complaint with PEMRA. The complaint invokes Section 27 of the PEMRA Ordinance 2002, seeking action against the controversial content depicted in the drama series.
PEMRA, after a comprehensive assessment of Geo’s drama ‘Hadsa,’ has determined that the series presents an unsuitable and distressing narrative. It fails to accurately reflect the true essence of Pakistani society, eliciting concerns about the possible adverse effects it might have on viewers. Interestingly, PEMRA itself came under scrutiny for not intervening sooner regarding the drama.
Consequently, PEMRA has made the decision to ban the television broadcast of Geo’s ‘Hadsa’ with immediate effect. In a formal statement, PEMRA asserted, “The broadcast or re-broadcast of the drama serial ‘HADSA’ hereby prohibited in accordance with Section 27 of the PEMRA Ordinance 2002, as amended by the PEMRA (Amendment) Act 2007.”
Moreover, the matter slated to referred to the Council of Complaints. Their role will be to provide suitable recommendations to the authority, facilitating the final verdict on the issue.
In light of this development, PEMRA has demonstrated its commitment to ensuring responsible and respectful content within the media landscape. The decision sends a strong message that sensationalizing tragic incidents is not conducive to a society that values empathy, ethics, and accurate representation.