PEMRA Action Against Illegal Foreign Channels

PEMRA enforcement teams today raided numbers of cable TV networks in various parts of country in a bid to stop illegal satellite and CD channels which were being shown despite repeated warnings. The illegal foreign channels which have been closed prominently includes Star Plus, Sony, Setmax, Colour, 9Xm, Star One, Star Cricket, Zee Cinema, Zee Action, Sahara, UTV Action, Smile TV, Neo Cricket, Al-Noor, Hadayat TV, B4U Music,  etc. Besides, a large number of illegal CD channels being run by cable operators were also closed.

PEMRA stated that cable operators are not authorized to relay any channel except those permitted under the list of eligible channels. All cable networks have been provided a list which contains 89 indigenous satellite TV channels, 28 foreign channels and all PTV channels. The cable operators have, however, choice to carry channels of their choice among the eligible list depending upon the capacity of their cable network.

PEMRA press release stated that illegal CD channels on cable networks and illegal foreign channels were not only a source of content piracy but there had also been a lot of public complaints against vulgar content and movies being shown on these channels. Most of the operators were airing vulgar mujras, dances and movies not worthy of watching while sitting with family. PEMRA enforcement teams raided the networks and impounded large number of such vulgar CDs and impounded gadgets used for distributing the vulgar content.

Cases of all these cable operators would be taken before the Authority for imposition of heavy fines and suspension of licenses. PEMRA said that initially this action is initiated against illegal and proscribed channels. However, similar action would be initiated against Pakistani TV channels if they did not stop airing excessive foreign and indecent content.