Punjab Assembly passes resolution to ban celebrities from hosting Ramazan transmissions

A resolution seeking a ban on celebrities hosting Ramazan transmissions, which had been submitted in the Punjab Assembly last week, was unanimously accepted yesterday.

The Punjab Assembly has requested the federal government to ensure that TV channels display the utmost respect for Ramazan in their transmissions and invite religious scholars to the programmes.

The resolution, a copy of which is available with Images, was submitted on April 30 on behalf of the Pakistan Rah-e-Haq party's parliamentary leader Maulana Muhammad Muavia Azam.

It stated, "Having people associated with showbiz host Ramazan transmissions is an unfortunate practice. Ramazan transmissions are hosted by people who have no affiliation with the ranks of the Islamic faith. This practice afflicts the spirits of millions of Muslims every year."

The resolution included an appeal to PEMRA to enforce the ban on celebrities hosting Ramazan shows. PEMRA has yet to release a statement about the matter.

Many celebrities have hosted Ramazan transmissions in recent years, including Fahad Mustafa, Ayesha Omar, Hamza Ali Abbasi, Juggan Kazim, Sanam Baloch, Imran Abbas, among others.