ISLAMABAD: Senate Standing Committee on Information, and Broadcasting was informed by the government that test transmission of Bol TV was closed so that it does not affect the FIA investigation going on against Axact. It observed that Axact’s TV imported equipment without permission from Pemra which is illegal. The Committee called Customs officials to brief it about import of equipment in the next session. Pemra chairman Chaudhry Rashid told the Committee that Axact bought two TV licences and got stay order from court against withdrawal of its security clearance from the Interior Ministry. Senator Iqbal Zafar Jhagra said as per rule, an organisation is suspended when its affairs are being investigated. He said staff of the suspended TV channel will get jobs like some of its key officials have already done. Senator Nihal Hashmi said Axact issue has been blown out of proportion in Pakistan. He said Axact’s channel test transmission was blocked. Had it been regular transmission, it would have been wrong to block it, he said. Senator Saeed Ghani said Axact’s TV transmission should not have been blocked. Senator Farhatullah Babar questioned which law allows the government to block the TV transmission on the pretext that it could affect FIA probe. Committee Chairman Senator Kamil Ali Agha said the committee is concerned over the letter written by the government to Pemra to stop transmission of Axact’s TV channel. Federal Information Secretary Muhammad Azam said the government took legal advice before delivering the letter to the Pemra. He said Axact got licences for its TV channels two years ago and it was supposed to launch the channel within a year but it did not. He said the government had issued Axact warning on this issue. He said the government would defend its letter to Pemra as this measure was taken in accordance with law. He said Axact’s channel has violated law as it has not taken permission for import of equipment except antenna. APP adds: The committee asked the government to explain its position over the letter written to Pemra for suspension of Axact’s TV transmission. It was told as the directors of Axact and Bol were same, the government issued the letter to save image of the country.It was told that the TV directors were given security clearance in haste. The Committee asked the Ministry of IB&NH to take steps for settlement of media code of conduct within 10 days.Secretary Information Muhamamd Azam told the Committee that the bill in this regard was also sent to the National Assembly. He said that its implementation was delayed as the government wanted to create consensus on the matter. He said that the Ministry has held meetings with Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA) and next meeting is due on June 11.He said the bill, already been sent to the Cabinet Division, would get approved from the cabinet before its implementation. Senator Agha asked the ministry that its implementation was delayed and there was no justification for waiting for the input of those stakeholders who did not bother to come forward when the bill was being discussed at threadbare. On the issue of foreign content in media, the committee was of the opinion that with the passage of time more and more TV channels have started airing the foreign television plays in violation of Pemra laws. They said no satellite TV channel was airing any children specific programmes. The meeting was attended by Sassi Palejo, Saeed Ghani, Zafar Jhagra, Farhatullah Babar, Khushbakht Shujaat, Rubina Khalid, Nehal Hashmi, Salahuddin Tirmizi, and Rozi Khan Kakar.Senior officials for Ministry of Information and Broadcasting were also present in the meeting.
