Pak regulator to penalise illegal airing of Indian channels

Islamabad: Pakistan’s electronic media watchdog on Thursday warned of a crackdown on local channels illegally airing content from Indian channels and imposed a cap of less than 6 per cent of air-time to telecast Indian television channels. The decision was prompted by complaints from different TV owners and people, according to an official of Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra). Pemra chief Absar Alam said strict action would be taken against the TV channels that had been continually violating the code of conduct. “Only the TV channels having permission and licence can telecast foreign content. Pakistani TV channels can utilise less than 6 per cent of air time to telecast Indian TV content from October 15, 2016,” he said. He gave a 45-day deadline to those showing Indian content illegally, saying any violation would be punished after the deadline. “I urge the people to stop using illegal Indian dishes as it is in utter violation of the law and against national interest,” he said. He said Pemra would get help from other departments to check the violation of the law regarding using foreign TV content. Indian films, dramas and reality shows are highly popular and keenly watched in Pakistan.