PEMRA Orders 79 Illegal Urdu Channels to be Blocked
Long winded preamble to justify closing these channels in the name of UnIslamic content, promotion of Yindoo philosophy, anti-fauj ramblings by these stations . Many Paki observers have recently noted that the nation is essentially under de-facto martial law, and no one knows "which civilian person" is in chargeA circular issued by Pakistan Electronic Media Authority (PEMRA) reveals that they have been receiving complaints against channels that are not even registered under their databases – unlicensed and illegal channels – which are airing to local viewers through local cable operators. These channels have usual “Urdu content” in Urdu language and TV service operators, either intentionally or by error, air these channels on their relative distribution networks.The channels have relevant Urdu language and local content which is why operators consider them relevant in their network and decide to air them. The channels occupy slots in distribution networks – the same slots reserved for PEMRA’s licensed TV channels.Moreover, these channels are not covered by PEMRA’s regulatory check and are not under the regulatory authority’s control – they are free to air vulgar, indecent and superstitious content that can be undesirable, unsettling and even misleading for many people.
A total of 79 channels ( that's a lot of channels . Musharaf should be credited for opening the "floodgates" for Paki Media, but now PEMRA is left to clean the mess up ! ) are being aired without any official permission from PEMRA. Most of these channels pointed out by PEMRA are listed below:
The authority has ordered all TV service operators including cable operators to immediately remove the 79 channels termed illegal by PEMRA.Regulation-21 of PEMRA (Distrubution Service Operations) Regulations-2011 states that distribution service licensee shall distribute only those TV channels having valid license from PEMRA. Lists of the licensed TV channels & Landing Rights Permission holders are available for download at PEMRA’s website.