• November 14, 2007
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ISLAMABAD – Free import of various equipment used in receiving satellite transmissions, including dish antenna and receivers, was banned on Tuesday amid tight curbs on media by military regime to deprive the people of getting news through independent sources other than the state-run TV channels.

However, the importers are subjected to prior permission from the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) for importing such electronic equipment.
When contacted for comments, Federal Secretary for Commerce, Syed Asif Shah dispelled the impression that import of the equipment had totally been banned or put in the negative list. “The import of these items is allowed but only a condition of prior permission by PEMRA has been added,” he clarified.

When asked who recommended restriction on the im­port of electronics, Shah replied, “The Commerce Ministry had notified the condition.” However, he declined to respond which authority had asked for taking this step.

According to the text of SR.O. (1)/ 2007: “In exercise of the powers conferred by sub Section (1) of section 3 of the imports and Exports (Control) Act, 1950 (XXXIX of 1950), the Federal Government is pleased to direct that the following further amendment shall be made in the Import Policy Order, 2007, namely:

-In the aforesaid Order in Ap­pendix-B after Sr. No. 60, the following new Sr. No. and the entries relating thereto in columns (1), (2), (3) and (4) shall be inserted,

namely:

‘The conditions imposed on All equipment used for reception, broadcast and distribution of Satellite signals, pertaining to the field of electronic media such as Satellite Dishes, Decoders, Receivers, Digital Satellite News Gathering (DSNG), Encoder, Modulator, High Power Amplifier (HPA), Integrated Digital Receiver (IRD), Broadband Global Access Network (B­GAN), LNA (Low Noise Amplifier), LNB (Low Noise Block), Camera with Satellite Transmission Facility, Digital Head end, etc.”

“Import shall be allowed into the country only after obtaining specific permission / NOC from, the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA),” the notification stated.

Following imposition of emergency in the country on November 3, the government also slapped a complete ban on the sale of dish antenna, broadcast receivers, and other tools in the, local market, and even arrested some traders on the charges of, selling these equipment.

The district coordination officer (DCO) issued the directives, to all the traders not to sell dish antenna, decoder, receivers and other electronic tools used for getting transmission, especially the private local and international TV channels. The government also forced the cable operators to stop airing private news channels, including top world TV channels and also the local ones.

Few of the local and international channels are restored on the cable network but they are either giving only entertainment programs or such local channels agreed to abide by the government directives in telecasting news or current affairs programs.

The government is under pressure not only from various quarters inside the country but also the world leaders are pressing Islamabad to remove the curbs on the media and ensure free and fair press in the country.
Source: TheNation
Date:11/14/2007