ISLAMABAD: Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Noor ul Haq Qadri has issued six guiding principles for Ramadan transmissions in Pakistan.

Noor ul Haq Qadri said promotion of religious/ sectarian harmony and propagation of Islamic teachings should be prime focus of Ramadan transmissions.

“I would like to draw your attention to a very sensitive issue which has been observed since the last few years that during Ramadan transmissions different programmes and shows were presented by a number of hosts who due to lack of proper Islamic education hardly qualify to present such programmes. As a result, different controversies are created and general public rush to social media trolling such content and also complain to the ministry and other authorities,” he said.

So, the primary and foremost principle, which viewers have long desired, is that religious programmes during Ramadan transmissions should be hosted only by the persons educated and well-versed in Islamic studies.

The religious affairs minister asked anchors/ presenters and all the participants to follow modesty in their dress code and appearance to honour the sanctity of the holy month of Ramadan.

“No person shall be allowed to discuss controversial religious or sectarian issues. Sanctity of religious personalities of all sects/ religious communities shall be ensured,” read the notification issued by the minister.

He said game shows or recreational stuff should not be aired right after or before sehar/ iftar timings. Moreover, the games and such stuff should not be the part of religious programmes, he said.

Unethical or immoral stuff, activity and advertisement should not be telecast during Ramadan, he maintained.