The Senate was informed that Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) had received no orders from the Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) regarding a ban on licensing of Indian satellite television channels.
Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Qamar Zaman Kaira, while replying to a question in the upper House, said it is true that some content of Indian channels being aired by private television channels does not correspond to Islamic principles and values but added that the same holds true for content on other international television channels.
He said the House should hold a debate on defining a code of conduct for airing of foreign content on television channels. He said no ban on licensing of Indian channels has been imposed.
Kaira said PEMRA had the capacity to monitor 50 channels only, adding that it was not possible for the body to monitor content of all channels being aired in Pakistan.
He said private satellites televisions are allowed to telecast 10 percent of foreign content per their license terms and conditions.
Kaira further said that a private television channel was showing content in a foreign language having dubbed the footage in Urdu. The channel was served a notice, he said, but they have taken the matter to the apex court where it is pending.
He said if the court orders action against the said channel‚ the government will revoke its landing rights. Minister for States and Frontier Regions Abbas Khan Afridi laid before the Senate a copy of the Rulers of Acceding States (Abolition of Privy Purses and Privileges) (Amendment) Bill‚ 2013.
The chair referred the bill to the concerned standing committee of the House.
The House will meet again on Monday, 4:30 pm.
