Mudassar Khalid Abbasi Advocate representing the PEMRA said on October 19, 2016, the Authority had imposed complete ban on airing Indian contents on local television channels. However, Lahore High Court (LHC) in 2017 had lifted the ban as at that time the federal government had no objections regarding the matter. Later, the PEMRA challenged the LHC's decision in the apex court. Justice Gulzar questioned if the people in Pakistan still want to watch Indian contents.
The PEMRA lawyer, earlier, explained that policy for airing 10% foreign contents came in 2006. Airing Indian material was linked to airing Pakistani material in India. Ever since India has imposed ban on Pakistani content, ban has also been clamped in Pakistan. Mudassar Abbasi contended that the LHC verdict has curtailed PEMRA's authority. Justice Ijaz-ul-Ahsan, another member of the bench remarked that high court is not authorised to interfere in PEMRA powers.
After hearing the arguments of the counsel of the PEMRA, the apex court set aside the LHC order and reinstated the federal government's October 2016 policy as per which Indian content cannot be aired on local television channels. The case was adjourned for an indefinite period. Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry on February26 in view of the tension over Indian intrusion of Pakistani airspace had placed a ban on exhibition of Indian movies in Pakistani cinemas.
Fawad Chauhdry in his tweet had also informed about passing on instructions to PEMRA on acting against 'made in India advertisements.' "Cinema Exhibitors Association has boycotted Indian contents (and) no Indian movie will be released in Pakistan. (I) also have instructed PEMRA to act against Made in India Advertisements. Pakistan Tayar Hai," said Fawad.