The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday prohibited the celebration of Valentine’s Day in public spaces and government offices across the country ‘with immediate effect’.

A day before Valentine’s Day, the Federal Ministry of Information, Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) and the Islamabad High Commission were told by Justice Shaukat Aziz, who was hearing the case, to submit their replies regarding the immediate execution of the court’s orders.

Print and electronic media have also been warned to “stop all Valentine’s Day promotions immediately”, while Pemra has been ordered to monitor all mediums and send out notifications banning any related promotions.

The orders were given on a petition submitted by citizen Abdul Waheed, who maintained that promotions on mainstream and social media for Valentine’s Day are “against Islamic teachings and should be banned immediately.”

The petition had further called for a ban on the celebration of Valentine’s Day in public places, stating that, “in cover of spread of love in fact, immorality, nudity and indecency is being promoted which is against our rich culture.”

In India also many conservative religious organisations are dead against celebrating Valentine’s Day.

These theists are proud of culture that celebrates honour killings but is against romantic love.

Religions hate celebration of love but love propagation of hate and divisiveness.