Cable operators backbone of the media: Awan

Firdous Ashiq Awan said operators have emerged as a big industry.

KARACHI:

Cable operators have emerged as a big industry, contributing Rs617 million worth of licence fees to the national exchequer and providing employment opportunities to the people. This was said by the federal minister for information and broadcasting, Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan.

She was addressing the officials of the Cable Operators Association of Pakistan and their counterparts from the Punjab on Saturday.

She said that 2,800 cable operators are registered with the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority and they are the also the backbone of a vibrant electronic media. The government is willing to guide them to enter into partnerships with reputable gadget manufacturers.

“In a nutshell, investment will be diversified, generating more revenue and employment opportunities,” she added. This is crucial in preventing foreign exchange from leaving the country and creating job opportunities for the people. She announced that the government will grant fee relaxations to cable operators from the flood-affected districts. She added that laws were being formed for the protecting cable operators. 

Published in The Express Tribune, September 25^th, 2011.