PEMRA wants Indian content scaled down

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) requested the federal government on Monday to bring the level of Indian content on Pakistani channels at par with Pakistani media in the hostile South Asian neighbour’s broadcasts, the authority’s members decided in its 119th meeting.

A summary was also forwarded by the media watchdog to the federal government, suggesting ending the liberal policy adopted during the Musharraf regime.



Previously, Pakistani channels were allowed to air six percent content during 24-hour transmission cycle.

“Former Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz had granted this permission. Now, only the federal government can revoke it,” said a statement issued by Pemra, adding that the summary had been sent for endorsement.

Until the decision by the government, Pemra said, television channels and FM radio stations and cable operators were advised to strictly follow the current policy in this regard.

Pemra recommended that permission to air Indian content in Pakistan should be linked with the Indian government’s decision to allow Pakistani content on Indian channels.

“[if approved by the government] the decision will help end a policy formulated during the Musharraf regime and give a boost to Pakistani media industry,” Pemra said.

A senior Pemra official said that India currently had no policy regarding airing foreign content on local television channels.



He said if the government approved the summary, there would be a complete ban on airing Indian content in Pakistan until further notice.

Pakistan is taking this decision in the backdrop of recent hateful acts committed by India against Pakistani artists, where they were threatened, harassed and unceremoniously asked to leave the country.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 4^th, 2016.