The Pakistan Broadcasters’ Association (PBA) has complained to the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) that six of its member channels have been taken off air by Pemra licensed cable operators since Wednesday evening throughout Pakistan, and specifically in Karachi.
Some of the country’s most popular entertainment channels, including ARY Digital, GEO Entertainment, HUM TV, Express Entertainment, TV ONE and KTN Entertainment are unavailable to several million households.
PBA has protested that some cable operators are aiming to seek permission to be allowed to air illegal Indian channels, which were ordered to be taken off air by Pemra under the instructions of the Supreme Court of Pakistan.
Taking such channels off air is against licensing rules and regulations for cable operators.
PBA has authorised its members to take legal action against Pemra and the cable operators who they say have caused millions of rupees in losses per day to the entertainment industry.
PBA members also feel that there are political affiliations that may be behind a move to financially constrain the media industry, so that free and fair election coverage cannot be guaranteed by Pakistan’s private media.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 17th, 2012.
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@A2Z:India has already gave MFN status to Pakistan but Pakistani channels are not allowed in India Formally this may/shall be announced in December 2012 on the media before the nation by the Pakistani leaders but mentally Pakistani leaders have prepared themselves for doing so as Pakistani leaders have said it in the parliament and senate.....
P.D.C should take action against this just like they did about Bhagat Sinh issue.
The cartel / mafia system of business should go!
Good thing I can watch my TV shows on my iOS device and my andriod phone, but not everybody can afford that you know.
this is because they were broadcasting indian content.channels broke the rules thats why they were taken off air
why indian programs (big boss etc) are being aired by these channels; who violates court orders????????/.
Why are they afraid of competition? Its a free world and you should make your product better. Cable operator, in big cities, charge installation fee of RS 4000, even if it was already there from new tenant and still signal is poor. PTCL and other big private companies donot cover every part of city unless they get 100 connection on day 1. They donot cover city with fibre cable
@Ahmer Ali...India has already gave MFN status to Pakistan but Pakistani channels are not allowed in India
I wish news channels had gone off air for good.
@numbersnumbers: You mean we're going back to caves where only Channel we had PTV.
Most pakistanis watch Indian soaps and pakistani news channels. i dont see anything srong with that. Its better to watch tv and be busy with something rather than kill people like it happens in karachi everyday.
Good riddance...........
That is bound to happen.India is now flexing its muscles and impact is visible.
Pakistanis are living in stone age,our future doesn't look very much bright..lol
These cable operators are traitors who are blackmailing local Pakistani channels for Indian ones. This is against the constitution of Pakistan and the Military should step in and apprehend these cable operators are try them for treason.
This has resulted in postponment of Zindagi Gulzar Hai.
Strict action is required against cable operators, they r like a mafia!!
Don't worry, Pakistan is moving toward the Chavez Venezuela model where only the "official government" TV chanels are permitted "for the good of the country"!