LHC seeks final arguments in Indian films, plays case

LAHORE: Chief Justice of Lahore High Court Syed Mansoor Ali Shah sought final arguments on a petition seeking permission for telecasting Indian films and plays on Pakistani channels.

The counsel for Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) informed that Indian films could be played but there was still ban on playing Indian drams and other stuff. The PEMRA counsel said that the permission would remain subject to terms and conditions of the licence under the Pemra Ordinance, 2002.

The chief justice had already allowed private television channels, having valid licences, to show Indian movies as per their terms of their agreements.

The chief justice was hearing a petition of M/S Leo Communication and others challenging a circular issued by PEMRA on October 19, 2016 for being violative to the authority's rules and the constitution as well.

Petitioners' counsel requested that the channels should also be allowed to broadcast Indian dramas/plays as they also fell within the definition of `entertainment' under the licence agreement.

Petitioner counsel said that in year 2010, a 15-year license was granted to petitioner-company by PEMRA to operate a cable channel by the name of `Filmazia.' He submitted that under the licence the channel was allowed to broadcast 10 percent of foreign content including that of India.

He said the channel became very popular and received highest viewership ratings. He submitted that PEMRA without any prior notice issued a circular and abruptly banned all Indian content on cable channels in Pakistan. He requested that as the petitioner was condemned unheard, the circular should be declared as illegal.