The regulator, Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra), said there had been public complaints that they prompted curiosity in “innocent children”.
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Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA).
PEMRA said that the general public was not comfortable with exposing children to such products, who might get inquisitive about their use after looking at the ads.
In September past year, Pemra had banned an advertisement by a condom brand, calling it “immoral” and contrary to religious norms after receiving a deluge of complaints from the public.
In a document titled, “We value opinion on all decisions”, the regulatory body explained its rationale, suggesting that the decision “triggered a debate in the country as to whether this is a regressive step or not” and that “Pakistani public opinion is diametrically opposed on such social issues”.
“In the larger public interest, Pemra, recognising both shades of opinion in our society, has chose to put this [ban on contraceptives’ ads] decision for vetting to its boards for further deliberations”, the statement read. Image sourceAll media outlets in the country were issued with a notification, which called for an immediate ceasing of advertisements which promoted condoms and other birth control devices and products.
However, Pakistan hasn’t explained if this ban extends to their own family planning publicity efforts. Provincial population welfare departments regularly run campaigns to educate citizens on the benefits of various forms of birth control. The lack of use of contraceptives may also have implications for the spread of sexually transmitted diseases like HIV/AIDS, which United Nations data show claimed over 2,800 lives in Pakistan previous year. This is a government initiative to encourage birth control in Pakistan. Pakistan is a highly conservative society where discussion of topics even remotely connected to sex is considered as taboo.
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According to Dawn, the country’s population is likely to reach 240 million by 2030, given that it is growing at a pace of 1.8% a year.
