Stop Airing Indian Channels: Strong Warning to Pakistan Cable Operators

Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) on Friday warned local cable TV operators in the Islamic nation to stop airing Indian channels. PEMRA threatened stringent action if the cable operators defied this order.

On Friday, PEMRA ordered its regional offices to conduct enforcement raids on cable operators alleged to be airing Indian channels. “No 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 with strictly in accordance with the PEMRA law,” a statement of PEMRA said.

Following this order raids were conducted on several cable operators in Karachi, Sindh’s Hyderabad and Punjab’s Multan region by the PEMRA enforcement teams. Equipment was seized and show-cause notices were issued to the violators.

Pakistan has banned Indian films and TV channels in the past. Following the war of 1965, this ban order continued for long till it was lifted in 2008. Pakistan again banned Indian movies and channels in 2016. In 2018 the Lahore High Court ruled against the ban but the Pakistan Supreme Court scrapped the high court order.