MUMBAI: The countdown has begun. Amidst protests from cable TV operators and even private broadcasters, the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) earlier this week announced the shortlist of 12 companies which will be participating in the bidding for the first direct to home service (DTH) licences auction which is scheduled to take place on
23 November. The Pakistan government is on a drive to evict Indian channels, DTH services and content from its shores following the border skirmishes between the two countries over the past few months.
Among the firms which have got into the shortlist include: Lahore-based firms Orient Electronics and Mag Entertainment, Islamabad-based companies Skyflix, Smartimes Communications, Sardar Builders, Smart Sky, Parus Media and Broadcast, Naya Tel, Maestro Media Distribution, Shahzad Sky, and HB DTH and Karachi-based IQ Communications. This was revealed by PEMRA chairman Absar Alam.
Alam told reporters that the auction of three licences would be held through open competitive bidding.
Alam appeared unwavering in his intent to completely eliminate all Indian DTH services from Pakistan. The authority has been urging its ministry of defence to take action against residential and housing societies which continue to use Indian DTH services.
He also emphatically stated that Indian content stands banned in Pakistan, and there was no going back on the decision.
“A lobby seems to be working for ending the ban on airing of Indian content and dramas on Pakistani channel,” he informed Pakistani media on Monday. “But they will be unsuccessful in their conspiracy,” he said.
Alam probably was also referring to the petition filed by the Pakistan Broadcasters Association’s (PBA’s) petition filed in Pakistani courts against the ban. Around a dozen broadcasters took PEMRA to court late last month for issuing an order banning Indian content completely from Pakistan’s general entertainment channels.
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Pakistan Broadcasters Association to oppose PEMRA Indian content ban
