PBA, cable operators join forces on DTH issue

KARACHI: While addressing the Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA) and cable operators, the PBA Chairman Mian Amir Mehmood has said that a joint committee had been formed, which would negotiate the terms regarding Direct-to-Home (DTH) licence services with the government. He said that the introduction of DTH in Pakistan was unfair to Pakistani channels and the cable industry.

It was also decided in the meetings that if the reservations of Pakistani channels and the cable industry were not resolved, then the PBA members will not allow the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) to air its channels on the DTH.

The PBA has also assured the cable operators of its support in case of retaliatory activities by the Pemra. As a result, cable channels have reopened throughout Pakistan now. The representative of cable operators, Khalid Arain, said that the PBA had assured them of its support in any case, especially in solving the DTH problem.

He added that the formation of a joint committee under the supervision of Mian Amir Mehmood was a good step to solve their problems. He said that they had also called upon a countrywide strike due to these problems, which was ended after the assurance made by the PBA.