Pakistan

Illegal cable, radio networks shut

Pemra closes down various illegal cable TV networks and FM radio stations.

February 12, 2011

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA), during routine enforcement activities in Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, closed down various illegal cable TV networks and FM radio stations.

According to a press release issued on Friday, PEMRA enforcement teams visited various cities and raided 21 illegal cable TV networks operating without license. Equipments for seven illegal networks were seized in Rawalpindi.

Similarly, six networks were closed in Chakwal, five in Jhelum, two in Islamabad and one in Sargodha.

Moreover, three FM radio stations were seized in Tehsil and District Swabi. These illegal FM stations were being run by Moulvi Usman Ghani and Qari Akmal at Masjid Iqra, Madrassa Jamia Muhammadia and Masjid Areef Khan. These radio channels were involved in propagating extremism and militancy in their respective vicinities.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 12^th, 2011.

COMMENTS (5)

tehmina tariq | 13 years ago | Reply Ashfaque , I am sure we cannot change very much but maybe a bit of media moderation, tolerance and showing examples of human compassion instead of only displaying evil and corruption may make a difference.

tehmina tariq | 13 years ago | Reply Who issues licenses? Are there some guidelines that are followed regarding the level of hate, intolerance, politics and socially disturbing themes that can be aired? We have a censor board for films, what procedures are followed for TV channels? Are Indian films really the only threat we face? What about all the conspiracy theories, out of context quotations and denial of reality that is constantly shown?

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irfanullah siddiqui | 13 years ago | Reply @ashfaque ahmed: it is basic human psychology.The mullahs on these channels tell their captive audience that "you are better than the kafirs,muslims don't lie,cheat,steal or murder,all this talk of religious terrorism is the propaganda of the yahoodis,ahmadis or bharti agents." Praises of one's self & laying the blame for all of one's ills on others are just the things the audience of these mullahs crave & desire.

ashfaque ahmed | 13 years ago | Reply @muhammad asif bajwa: Nothing can be done.These 'mazhabi channels' earn big bucks for their owners as our illeterate population is eager to believe whatever anyone with a beard or wearing a burka has to say. Homophobia,suppression of women,intolerance of ppl of other religions & barbarity are hallmarks of our society & won't change.

muhammad asif bajwa | 13 years ago | Reply what about the dozens of so called "mazhabi" channels which blare out an agenda of hate,oppression of women,homophobia,intolerance of minorities & treatment of women as personal property of man??? Just because someone has a beard or wears a burka doesn't make those people right.Our society is scared stiff of anyone with a beard. A maulvi can rape children,incite people to violence,spread hate against career women & insult people of other religions but our society will give him a clear pass as the religious right has got a strangelhold on our population via their propaganda channels.

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