PESHAWAR: This House strongly protests and condemns the allegedly derogatory and negative portrayal of a Pashtun character in the drama serial “Aap Ki Izzat.”
In the drama, a vegetable vendor portrayed as a Pashtun is depicted as greedy and immoral—a character who attempts to lure, rob, and harm a married woman.
This depiction stands in stark contrast to the traits of Pashtun society—such as honor, dignity, hospitality, and family values—and specifically the Pashtun respect and regard for women.
This character creates a negative and stereotypical impression of Pashtuns. This House also expresses concern that national media often limits the portrayal of Pashtuns to roles such as watchmen, drivers, laborers, vegetable vendors, or other low-status characters.
At times, these characters are also associated with negative and criminal traits. Such portrayal not only hurts the sentiments of millions of Pashtun citizens but is also detrimental to national unity and inter-provincial harmony. The House demands that the Federal Government, and specifically the Provincial Government, take immediate notice of the drama’s controversial content by approaching PEMRA.
It recommends an impartial inquiry and, should a violation of the code of conduct be proven, that action be taken in accordance with the law. This House also calls upon media houses to refrain from portraying any nation, language, province, or cultural identity through negative stereotypes. Media houses should act responsibly.
This resolution unanimously reaffirms that no derogatory portrayal undermining the honor, culture, or identity of the Pashtun nation will be tolerated.
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