Cable operators threaten strike over DTH issue

They have decided to go on strike if the Pemra did not accept their demand


Sehrish Wasif November 15, 2016

ISLAMABAD: Cable operators in the country are all set to cross swords with the electronic media watchdog over its decision to introduce Direct-to-Home (DTH) service.

They have decided to go on strike if the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) did not accept their demand of postponing the process of introducing the DTH service by Friday.

Addressing a press conference at the National Press Club on Tuesday, Cable Operators Association chairman Khalid Arain said: “They (cable operators) were planning to go on strike from today (Tuesday), but had to postpone it after Finance Minister Ishaq Dar assured the Pakistan Broadcasting Association (PBA) of resolving the issue on a war footing.”

“The launch of DTH was not justified since the cable operators have invested billions of rupees in converting the analogue cable system into the digital one,” he said, adding, “It will also ruin their business and cause a huge economic loss.”

“We need at least three years to create awareness among people about the cable digitalisation. The introduction of DTH will not provide us the opportunity to promote it.”

Arain said the Cable Operators Association will announce their future course of action after holding talks with the finance minister.

“If by Friday Pemra turned down their demand of delaying the introduction of the Pakistani DTH service, they will go on strike,” he said, adding, “they hope that the finance minister will address their concerns.”

Published in The Express Tribune, November 16th, 2016.

COMMENTS (1)

viewpoint | 8 years ago | Reply DTH licence auction should go as per schedule. this will be unfair with the people of pakistan to deprive them of new technology. the majority of pakistani population live in remote areas which cable system has no coverage. secondly people of urban areas should also have a choice to use any platform suitable for them. we have never heard of animal cart owners protested introduction of cars. A technological shift shall never be abandon due to greedy interests of 0.001% of population
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