PEMRA issued license to TV channel in violation of law

The initial investigation report into the award of landing rights to a private TV channel, Urdu One, has established the fact that the landing rights license was issued by Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) in violation of PEMRA ordinance and even the basic criterion for the said license was not followed, Pakistan Today has learnt.

Taking notice of a complaint submitted by United Producers Association (UPA) against the said channel, the Senate Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting on Monday had directed federal secretary for information to launch a probe into the alleged issuance of a bogus license to the Dubai-based television channel which had been given landing rights.

A source in the information ministry informed told Pakistan Today that the report would be submitted to the Senate Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting in a week’s time. The source added that none of the directors of the Urdu One channel existed.

“Moreover, under the PEMRA Ordinance, landing rights could only be awarded to those channels which are on air. However, the initial investigation has proved the allegation of UPA true as the Dubai-based channel was awarded license before even going on the airwave,” said the source, adding that even the directors of the channel were not given security clearance – a basic standard operating procedure (SOP) mandatory for award of a license.

Following the submission of the report, the source added, a complete turnaround in the PEMRA hierarchy was likely as the new chairman, Rashid Chaudhry, was committed to upholding the rule of law to improve the functioning of the electronic media watchdog as general elections are nearing.

“The PEMRA report would furnish finality that the channel was awarded a bogus license,” said the source, adding that the channel was airing Turkish dramas with Urdu dubbing. Director General Licensing PEMRA Ashfaq Jumani had apprised the committee on Monday that the channel showing Turkish dramas was issued a bogus license. He said as pre-requisite, the channel had applied for landing rights showing the ownership of M/s Alliance Media (FZLLC), UAE, having its registered office at Studio City in Dubai but it was proved wrong. Senator Farhatullah Babar praised the statement of facts by Ashfaq Jumani and said that such upright officers could overhaul any institution.

PEMRA Chairman Rashid Chaudhry had apprised the committee that the private television channel had obtained a stay order from Sindh High Court after the authority issued a notice over violation of rules. The committee also sought report on the status of court case asking PEMRA to do the required against the channel.