Dish antenna business comes to a halt
ISLAMABAD (November 07 2007): The business of dish antenna came to a halt on Tuesday in Rawalpindi and Islamabad following government’s orders to close down the antenna outlets for indefinite period, with a warning that the trader found violating the orders would have to face five years jail term and Rs 10 million fine.
Most of the shops in well known ‘Imperial’, ‘Faisal’ and ‘College Road’ markets near Raja Bazaar, Rawalpindi, and some shops in Abpara and Blue Area in Islamabad remained shutter-down on Tuesday, which further restricted the people access to information following the proclamation of emergency.
“My shop and all other shops in Rawalpindi and Islamabad are closed from Monday night. My sale had increased by 30 to 40 percent during the first two days of emergency rule as a result of ban on TV cable network,” Muhammad Haneef, a shopkeeper in College Road Market said.
He said it was quite unfortunate that the business was banned at a time when it was flourishing as the people’s interest in news grew usually whenever there was uncertainty in the country. “Keep your shops closed, or be ready for five years jail term and fine of Rs 10 million,” said Haneef while referring to the orders issued verbally by police officers of Ganj Mandi Police Station.
“This is heavy price we have to pay, and that is why we closed our business today. Our shops will, of course, remain closed for indefinite period,” said Haneef, hardly 24 and running his business for more than six years in College Road Market, which is famous for variety of electronic goods in the twin cities.
Following the ban on cable TV operators by Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra), people, especially the well off, resorted to buying dish antennas to have access to the latest developments.
Source: Business Recorder
Date:11/7/2007
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