JOIN USActing on an order from the Supreme Court, the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) recently barred cable operators from relaying Indian channels that do not have landing rights for the country.
Among the channels taken off cable networks were highly popular ones like Star Plus, Star Movies, Star One, Sahara One, SET Max, B4U Music, Zee Music, Zee Cinema, Peace TV and Quran TV.
The move irked viewers across Pakistan, especially the numerous fans of Indian soaps and Bollywood movies.
“There are as many as 2,500 cable operators working throughout Pakistan. To monitor what all of them are airing is, at the moment, not possible for us. That is why we request the public to come forward and approach us if they see any cable operator going against the apex court’s orders,” PEMRA chairman Mushtaq Malik said.
PEMRA has 150 staff members to ensure the implementation of its rules and orders.