Cable operators deplore Pemra’s attitude
RAWALPINDI (February 24 2004): Rejecting the double standards of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra), the Cable operators have said that some vested interest forces are playing a dirty game with 1600 Cable operators of the country, which could deprive country from huge revenue.
“If Pemra didn’t stop this nefarious game, we will knock the door of justice and go to litigation”, said Naveed Akbar, President Rawalpindi chapter of Cable operators Association of Pakistan here on Saturday.
He was addressing a press conference in Rawalpindi Islamabad Press Club and was flanked by other office bearers of the association including Ubaidullah Qazi, Ijaz Ahmed and Captain Zubair (Retd).
Pemra, he said is asking us not to air CD channels and any channel having Indian logos and mottoes, while on the other hand there is no restriction on DTH and MMDS. “We have the right to ask why these double standards are being exercised”, he said.
If government is keen to impose complete ban on Indian channels, it should also block the DTH and MMDS, and clean the market from Indian CDs, they asked and added that purchase of DTH and MMDS is not possible for a common man and nor a common man could purchase CDs daily.
Naveed Akbar said if the Cable operators are providing easy entertainment to common man then why the authorities are feeling the panic and becoming restless.
“We are paying Rs 25,000 to Rs 50,000 as license fee to Pemra besides having an investment of millions on infra-structure, building and purchase of equipment. In return we are not being given any facility”, the president said.
Naveed said Pemra has so far not given permission of operation to MMDS and DTH operators, besides that they are operating illegally and no one dare to ask them to stop.
He said that Pemra and its enforcement cell has failed and proved a white elephant on national exchequer as it involved local government in the matter.
We are ready to comply all what the District Nazims have directed us, but the Nazims should also impose ban on our competitors and make them bound not to show Indian channels, he said.
The Cable operators called upon the Minister for Information to take stock of the situation and save them from ruining.
Cable operators have unanimously decided not to air CD channels and English channels during the holy month of Muharram.
Source: Business Recorder
Date:2/24/2004
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