Pakistan regulatory body cracks down on cable operators airing Indian content

Pakistans electronic media watchdog on Thursday launched a crackdown on cable operators airing Indian content on TV channels in the countryThe Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority PEMRA field staff conducted raids at four cable operators for airing illegal Indian channels as well as Indian content the watchdog said in a statementIt identified the cable operators Ms Sharjah Cable Network Ms Karachi Cable Services Ms New Satellite Communication and Ms Star Digital Cable Network in Karachi During the raid the regulatory body seized illegal equipment and issued show cause notices to the violators the statement saidAlso read National anthem case Court sets aside summons issued to Mamata BanerjeeThe PEMRA has launched an operation in the country on reports of deliberate violations of the Supreme Court order by the cable operators it saidIt warned all cable TV operators of the country to immediately stop airing Indian channelscontent which are otherwise illegal or proscribed by the authorityNo channel other than PEMRA licensee would be allowed for distribution on cable TV networks and any operator found defying the orders henceforth would be dealt strictly in accordance with PEMRA laws it warnedIn 2016 PEMRA imposed a complete ban on airing Indian content on local television and FM radio channelsHowever the Lahore High Court lifted the ban in 2017 declaring it null and void as the Pakistan government had no objections regarding the sameIn 2018 Pakistans Supreme Court reinstated a ban on airing Indian content on TV channels in the country overturning the Lahore High Courts orderThe decision was largely seen as a titfortat move after similar actions were taken by some channels and the entertainment industry in India against Pakistani content and artistsThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever