Pakistani lawmaker demands ban of Doraemon cartoons

Claims that it could have a negative influence on children

An opposition lawmaker in Pakistan has called for a ban on all 24-hour-long cartoon TV channels, and specifically the popular Japanese series "Doraemon", claiming that it could have a negative influence on children.

Pakistan-Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) leader Malik Taimur's demand has been ridiculed on social media.

He submitted a resolution in Punjab province's assembly wherein he requested "the federal government that it make it binding upon PEMRA (state regulator) that it close down cartoon channels, specifically Doraemon, or only run them for limited time periods".

"Children's education and physical health is being affected by these 24-hour cartoon channels," Reuters quoted the resolution, as saying.

Doraemon is a small, blue robot cat from the future sent back in time to help a hapless schoolboy and his family. Many episodes of the animated version feature lessons about moral values, and the series has been translated into over 30 languages. Japan even selected Doraemon as a cartoon cultural ambassador in 2008.

Reacting to the demand for the ban of Doraemon, people took to Twitter to advise the PTI and Taimur to focus on more pressing issues such as child abuse, corruption and poverty.