ISLAMABAD  - The National Assembly's Standing Committee for Information and Broadcasting on Friday called for a ban on advertisements featuring Indian models and suggested that it should be mandatory for female anchors on news channels to cover their heads with a dupatta.
The suggestion was made by the committee during a meeting attended by Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira.
Reacting to the panel's call to ban advertisements featuring Indian models, Kaira said the issue was in court and it would be better to wait for the judiciary's decision.
He agreed with the panel's members that local culture should be promoted as Pakistan has a rich heritage.
Kaira said during the parliamentary panel's meeting that Pakistan had conveyed to the Indian government at many forums that it is allowing the screening of Indian channels and films, but the move had not been reciprocated by India.
Pakistan is a responsible country and due to this strategy, relations with India had improved, he said. Kaira further said the whole country is facing terrorism and everyone would have to fight this mindset with unity. He said there is a dire need to promote a culture of tolerance in Pakistan.