MPAs hit out at obscene material in films

Cinema-goers wearing 3D glasses watch a movie at a Multiplex. PHOTO: REUTERS

LAHORE: The opposition benches sought a debate over the “negligence” of the Punjab Censor Board (PCB) in ensuring appropriate screening of obscene material in film productions.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) legislator Sadia Sohail Rana contended that the PCB was approving films with immoral material and obscenity. She added that the PCB had broken all records by approving two films based on obscenity.

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She said that the scenes of a girl in a swimsuit, captured at Cape Town in South Africa, could easily be seen in the films. She said those who had come to watch the movies protested over the obscenity.

She said members of PCB, without taking notice of any sort of obscenity, approved the movies for their own vested interests. She added that there was a clear restriction in the Constitution for obscenity and immoral dialogues. She held the view that the Punjab government was responsible for forming a censor board which is spreading obscenity. “There are strong reservations in religious circles over the policies of the PCB.”

Jhal Magsi blast

The opposition benches strongly condemned the bomb blast in Jhal Magsi, Balochistan which claimed at least 20 lives and injured over 50 people on Thursday.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) legislator Shoaib Siddiqi submitted a resolution, demanding the federal government and especially the federal interior minister act upon the National Action Plan (NAP).

The House also expressed its sorrow over the deaths of innocent people who lost their lives in the incident. According to the resolution, better security arrangement at all shrines, religious gatherings and sensitive points were the need of the hour.

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Siddiqi said that the people were united and every child of the country would fight against terrorism.

The resolution stated that the House also strongly condemned every “cowardly move” of those trying to destroy Pakistan. It demanded the launch a grand military operation to weed out terrorism from the country.

The legislator said that a combined strategy was required to act upon the NAP to foil any attempt.

Meanwhile, Speaker Punjab Assembly Rana Muhammad Iqbal Khan also strongly condemned the Jhal Magsi incident. “The nation is united and we have a stern resolve against terrorism.” He expressed his sorrow over the death of the innocent people.