ISLAMABAD – PEMRA enforcement teams raided number of cable TV networks in various parts of the country on January 5 in a bid to stop illegal satellite and CD channels shown by the cable operators despite repeated warnings to stop them.
PEMRA press release stated that excessive CD channels on cable networks were not only a peril to social fabric but is also the main source of content piracy and plagiarism which PEMRA is taking seriously to address.
PEMRA also suspended transmission of seven TV channels showing unethical and misleading documentaries related to health and other products in deviation to PEMRA and Ministry of Health laws and the scope of their given licences.
The cable operators faced PEMRA action included: M/s Dharyal Cable Network, M/s LR Cable Network, Jhelum, M/s Leo Biz Cable Network, M/s Perfect Cable Network, Murree, M/s Sky Video Cable Network Haripur. 10 satellite receivers and equipment being used to run illegal CD channels was impounded.
Similarly in Lahore PEMRA cracked down on M/s British Cable Network, M/s LCN, M/s Max Media Cable Network, M/s New Tech Cable Network, M/s Sony Cable Network, confiscating 23 satellite TV receivers, illegal decoders, set-top-boxes and equipment used to run illegal CD channels. Moreover, in Pasrur & Sialkot, M/s Butt Friends Cable Network and M/s Orient Cable Network, M/s Neuvo Albab Cable Network & M/s Choudhry Cable Network, were raided and 36 receivers, decoders and CPUs were confiscated.
In Sindh, enforcement teams raided cable TV networks operating in the cities of Karachi, Sakrand, Qazi Ahmed, Khadro, Sanghar, Tando Muhammad Khan, Math, Badin, Tando Jan Muhammad, Talhar, Digri, Tando Ghulam Ali & Matiari. Cable Networks raided are M/s Star Cable Network, M/s Highway Communication, M/s Sindhri Cable Network, M/s Sky Cable Network, M/s Star Cable Network, M/s Perfect Cable Network, M/s Shahzeb Cable Network, Kerio Cable Network. In total 54 gadgets, ie, receivers, decoders, computers seized by PEMRA inspection teams.
PEMRA necessitated this action as large number of public complaints were received against these cable TV operators and content of the channels on PEMRA’s recently installed toll free Call Centre (0800-73672).