Traders destroy Indian DTH equipment to endorse SC's crackdown on banned devices

Chairman Pemra lauds the move by All Pakistan Satellite Goods Association

ISLAMABAD: The All Pakistan Satellite Goods Association (APSGA) has voluntarily destroyed illegal DTH & C-Line Equipment at the Regal Chowk in Hall Road, Lahore.

Chairman Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra), Muhammad Saleem Baig graced the event as chief guest, said a press release on Wednesday. Pemra in 2015 launched a crackdown against illegal Indian DTH. Thousands of illegal Indian DTH and C-Line equipment had been destroyed and several cases were registered against those, involved in illegal activities.

Addressing the occasion, Chairman Pemra appreciated the role of Traders Association, honouring Pemra laws. He further said availability of Illegal Indian DTH was a potential threat to Pakistani DTH. Moreover, sphere of crackdown will be extended to cable TV operators who are promoting this illegality by accessing illegal channels through Indian DTH.

He urged that orders of the Supreme Court given in this context should be implemented in letter and spirit so that local investment in DTH was protected as well as social, cultural, religious and ethical values of Pakistan.

"India has been generating money from Pakistan through its film industry and then it attacks Pakistan. I am a public representative," Baig commented. "Pemra stands with traders community. I am thankful to the Hall Road traders for supporting us."

According to an estimate, more than two million illegal Indian DTH decoders of Dish TV, TATA SKY, Airtel, VideoCon, SunBig, Reliance etc. have been smuggled in Pakistan. This activity hence, is illegally laundering money worth US$ 200 million per annum out of Pakistan putting loss to national exchequer.

Besides, these illegal DTH are also a source of distribution of illegal & unlicensed TV channels in Pakistan in violation of Pemra laws.

The chairman further informed that digital medium would help in creating jobs for thousands of people besides injecting investment of billions of rupees in the country's economy.

It is worth mentioning that DTH is a digital satellite distribution platform for delivery of more than 250 television channels directly to viewers / end users without any intermediary.

Deputy General, Pemra Lahore Region Mian Asif, Deputy General Ali Hasnain, Chairman All Pakistan Satellite Goods Association Muhammad Yasin Butt alongwith President Ali Ahmad Malik and other members of the association and union were also present at the occasion.

Federal Minister for Information Fawad Chaudhry last month announced that the Cinema Exhibitors Association had decided to boycott Indian content in the country following New Delhi’s violation of Line of Control (LoC) which has further worsened the already strained relations between the two neighbouring countries.

“No Indian movie will be released in Pakistan,” he tweeted.

The minister had also said that he instructed Pemra to take action against advertisements that were made in India.

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