Pay dues or face licence suspension, Pemra warns two channels

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) Tuesday approved the recommendations/report of Swiss Consultancy Firm, M/s Digital Strategy, for initiation of Direct to Home (DTH) Licensing in Pakistan.
The Authority inked an accord with the firm in March this year to assist it in preparing eligibility criteria, license template, bidding methodology, determination of base price, recommendation on number of licenses to be issued and the duration of licenses for DTH etc. The Authority now expects to invite EoIs/bids for DTH Licensing by the end of November, 2015.
DTH licensing would be a major milestone in the broadcast arena, a Pemra release said.
With the launching of DTH in Pakistan, the subscribers would have much more access to high quality TV channels embedded with digital features like parental control, electronic programme guide, Internet and video on demand.
DTH service would help ease regulatory control besides addressing the complaint of TV channels that are not finding adequate place on traditional analogue cable TV networks.
Similarly, this technology would facilitate viewers to watch large variety of uninterrupted channels in their homes.
The initiation of this digital medium would help create jobs for thousands of people besides injecting investment of billions of rupees in the country’s economy. As a result of the DTH, the Pemra also foresees licensing of more local and foreign TV channels.
Besides, the Authority approved grant of two non-commercial Campus FM Radio licenses, one each to Bahria University Islamabad and Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University, Shaheed Benazirabad and also approved the request of Aruj TV channel for change in management.
The Authority directed issuance of final 30-day warning to Indus Vision and VSH (Baloch) channels to settle all of its outstanding dues.
In case of further failure, the Authority would endorse the recommendations of the Council of Complaints Karachi dated May 28, 2015 to suspend both TV channels’ licenses.
The meeting, chaired by the Executive Member/Acting Chairman Pemra Kamal Uddin Tipu, was attended by Secretary Ministry of Information Muhammad Azam, Chairman PTA Dr. Ismail Shah, Chairman FBR Tariq Bajwa and Ashraf Gujjar (Member).