Pemra collects Rs2.9m fine from cable operators | Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)

Pakistan Press Foundation

Pemra collects Rs2.9m fine from cable operators

ISLAMABAD, April 20,2005: The government has collected Rs 2.9 million in the form of fines from cable TV operators found guilty of relaying obscene and pornographic channels.

According to sources in the Pakistan electronic media regulatory authority (Pemra), a well-coordinated enforcement campaign was launched in all provinces on the instructions of the chairman Pemra .The campaign was aimed at detecting illegal cable operators and to check the proscribed, obscene, pornographic channels being relayed by the operators.

Reliable sources told Business Recorder that special teams raided various cable TV operators and seized their equipment and awarded fines for violation of rules and regulations of Pemra.

Regional enforcement teams of Pemra paid surprise visits in various offices in Balochistan. Nearly 15 illegal cable operators have been brought in the net of Pemra while seven cable networks were fined heavily for not adhering to authority’s guidelines and showing objectionable material on their channels.

According to further details, Pemra collected fine Rs 290,000 in the province of NWFP where 18 illegal cable TV operators have been detected while nine were legalized. Moreover, 10 cable operators were seized.

Sources said that the enforcement teams were able to collect revenue in terms of fine amounting to Rs 315,000 from cable operators functioning in Sindh province. 26 illegal cable TV operators were legalized in the interior of Sindh and Karachi, while six cable TV operators/h ends were seized. It was learnt the authority received most of complaints from Punjab province Pakistan electronic media regulatory authority collected Rs 2,456,700 fine whereas 54 cable TV operators have been licensed.
Source: Business Recorder
Date:4/20/2005