ISLAMABAD (APP) - Pemra, aimed at providing quality entertainment, information and education to masses in nooks and corners of Pakistan, held bidding on Thursday to award cable TV licenses in 12 tehsils of the country. Pemra had invited this competition soliciting expressions of interest (EoIs) through print media and initially EoIs were solicited for 116 tehsils. A large number of investors took keen interest but only 20 companies could qualify as per criteria for bidding in 12 tehsils. Inaugurating the session, Pemras Director General Licensing briefed that Section 19 of Pemra Act confers exclusive powers to Authority to issue licences for any broadcasting/distribution services medium through open and transparent bidding to applicants those who fulfill requisite criteria. Pemra has initiated issuing of cable TV licences through bidding in tehsils to professional companies registered with the Securities & Exchange Commission of Pakistan in order to cater quality services even in remote areas. He further said that so far nearly 3,000 cable licenses had been issued on case-to-case basis to applicants having simply a registered firm from Registrar of Firms. The idea was to facilitate investments in cable TV sector but it did not yield desired result since most of the cable TV licensees lacked professionalism and failed to offer quality services. Moreover, these non-professional entrepreneurs had been causing revenue loss to government and Pemra because of un-audited record of income and advertisements. The step has been taken to inculcate high quality, state-of-the-art digital cable TV services to the viewers, said DG PEMRA. The bidding was held to award the licences for Talagang, Chua Syden Shah, Jand, Pindi Gheb, Silanwali, Sohawa, Bhalwal, Taxila, Murree, Quaidabad, Joharabad and Hassanabdal tehsils. The successful companies would require starting operation soon after the award of licences. The highest bid amount of Rs 550,000 was offered by M/s Rose Plus Communication Pvt Ltd for Hassanabdal whereas, M/s Tele Alliance Pvt Ltd turned another highest bidder for Murree. They offered the bid amount of Rs 526,000. Concluding the ceremony Chairman Pemra urged the successful bidders to ensure the healthy flow of information, entertainment and education to the public but in due adherence and conformity to national interest.