Cable operators & PEMRA private members
KARACHI – Chairman, Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA), Mian Muhammed Javed has said that cable operators can approach the private members of the Authority, who are 60% and rest being government nominees, for redressal of their grievances.
He was speaking as chief guest at a seminar on “Electronic Media  Challenges and Prospects”, organized by Regional PEMRA in Karachi at a local hotel on May 18.
Speakers, who included Nazim F. Haji, Commissioner of Complaints, ‘PEMRA, Mohammed Akbar, DIG (Investigation), Aamir Ansari, Media Consultant and Khalid Shaikh, Chainnan Cable Operators Association Pakistan, spoke on various related issues including Intellectual Proprietory Rights, making the PEMRA Ordinance Customer-friendly, laws against cutting of cables, police attitude, registration of linemen, legal screening of reputed channels, checking the showing of obscene movies etc.
Replying to questions, Mian Muhanuned Javed said that attention is being focused on providing training to personnel operating cable system.
He observed that while PTV and Radio had their own academies for training of new entrants, the need for such training in the field of electronic media was felt when decision was taken in 2002 for its liberalization.
At that time, he pointed out, there had been no institution, which could have fulfilled the training requirements of cable operating personnel.
He said the PEMRA is collaborating with various universities and technical institutions in this regard to overcome the shortcomings being felt now with the expansion and modernization of cable network.
He made it clear that PEMRA is not a supra but a regulatory authority. Still it is providing guidance to cable operators through the publication of an Urdu monthly Letter which is sent to licensed operators.
Through this letter, they are guided on various issues like quality of cables and equipments to be used etc. Regarding complaints that what Cable Operators should show to its customers if good channels are not coming to Pakistan, Mian Javed said that presently there are 16 Urdu Channels, besides some free channels and some other channels already operating in Pakistan, can form a good package to be presented to viewers.
He told the cable operators that PEMRA’s list of channels should not be taken as final. He invited them to name the channels they wanted to add in the last and PEMRA will do it.
He acknowledged the role played by cable operators in developing a “lead” providing system to an industry level. When asked what action PEMRA takes as to showing of obscene films, Mian Javed said that it is moral responsibility of viewers to bring such instances to the notice of Commission of Complaints for action.
On the occasion Commissioner of Complaints, Nazim F. Haji, told the cable operators to contact the commission for resolution of their grievances and problems, whether these may be against the police or related to PEMRA.
“We will extend full cooperation and help you out”, he held out a firm assurance to them.
Source: Daily Times
Date:5/19/2004
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