Pemra takes action on violation of code of conduct: Pervaiz

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Information and Broadcasting Pervaiz Rashid Tuesday apprised the Senate that in case of violation of code of conduct, Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) initiates legal action against cable operators which include issuance of warnings, explanation notices, show cause notices, revocation, suspension of licences and imposition of fines.

Replying to a question, the minister said Pemra regulates the distribution service operations in private sector through Pemra Ordinance 2002 as amended by Pemra (Amendment) Act 2007, Pemra Rules 2009, Pemra (Distribution Service Operations) Regulations 2011, Pemra (Council of Complaints) Rules 2010. He said on the directives of the Supreme Court the government has recently issued a revised Electronic Media (Programmes and Advertisements) Code of Conduct 2015 which is also applicable on Cable Operators with effect from August 19, 2015.

Answering another question regarding expertise of the incumbent Pemra chairman, the minister said Absar Alam had more than 20-year multi-dimensional experience in electronic and print media while the post of executive member was vacant

Replying to question the minister said preliminary technical survey was undertaken on the instructions of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to finalise the most suitable sites to cover maximum population by Pakistan Television. He said the corporation had already conducted preliminary technical survey of Musakhel, Muslim Bagh, Harnai and Sherani and sent the report to the relevant officials of the ministry.

After the completion of technical survey, he said the report was submitted to the Ministry of Information with the request to arrange the prime minister’s directive for preparation of PC-1.