Pakistan bans contraceptive advertisements on radio & TV

Pakistan has banned airing advertisements of contraceptives on radio and after complaints that such “undesired” commercials make children inquisitive about the use of the family planning products.
 
Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) has imposed the ban after it received complaints from parents against commercials of contraceptive, birth control and family planning products on electronic media.
 
The regulatory body warned of legal actions against media organisations failing to follow the directives on such ads.
 
Pemra last year banned an advertisement by a condom brand, calling it “immoral” and contrary to religious norms.
 
Pakistan is a highly conservative society where discussion of topics even remotely connected to sex is considered as taboo.
 
The ban came despite a government initiative to encourage birth control in Pakistan.
 
The country’s population is growing by around 1.8 per cent a year and is estimated to peak 240 million in year 2030.