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Pakistan bans most Indian TV channels

B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD: Cable operators and television viewers in Pakistan are upset with the decision of Pakistan Electronic Media Regulator Authority (PEMRA) to bar 35 television channels, most of them Indian. They have been demanding lifting of the ban on Indian news channels and cinema theatre owners are seeking permission to screen Indian films. In its communication to the cable operators, PEMRA asked them not to beam the 35 listed channels on the ground that they were "non-permitted" channels. The two associations of the cable operators said that they had received the list . According to the chairman of Cable Operators Association of Pakistan, Khalid Shaikh, the banned channels include Star and Zee entertainment channels, Super Sports and Discovery. He said PEMRA had instructed the cable operators to shut Star package and Reality TV. Besides, Cartoon Network and National Geographic of Hindi versions were switched to English versions. He recalled that at a seminar held under the auspices of PEMRA last year the Minister had promised that the Government would consider legalising showing of Indian channels as part of confidence building measures with the neighbouring country. However, the English daily Dawn, quoting sources, said the Indian channels were getting a major chunk of advertisements and the local channel owners influenced PEMRA to issue instructions banning them.

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