Cable operators should deliver quality services: Pervaiz

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage Pervaiz Rashid on Tuesday said quality services conforming to social values should be delivered to viewers of TV channels through cable networks.
Talking to a delegation of Cable Operators Association of Pakistan (COAP) here, he said digitalisation of cable TV network was need of the hour, as innovative and new broadcast technologies would prove more efficient and flexible in providing variety of services to the subscribers.
The cable operators expressed their concern particularly with reference to the advertisement of Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) inviting applications for the establishment of digital cable networks.
The minister directed the authorities concerned to constitute a committee comprising the officials of ministry and Pemra and Cable Operators Association representatives to sort out issues and evolve a mechanism to address the genuine demands of cable operators.
He also asked Pemra to work on the idea of drawing a negative list of the channels, which do not conform to social norms. He also proposed to review the existing regime for landing rights permission of channels.
He said that Pemra should play its vibrant role as an independent regulator to ensure better service delivery to the people and check misuse of CD in-house channels by the operators.The delegation was headed by CAP Chairman Khalid Arien. Pervaiz Rathore, acting Chairman Pemra and senior ministry officials were also present in the meeting.