PEMRA directs channels to dedicate ad spots, hold fundraising telethons for dams

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has directed all the satellite TV Channels in Pakistan to broadcast public service announcements (PSAs) appealing for donations for the construction of dams.

According to a notification issued, the regulatory body has told all the licensed satellite channels in the country to “allocate one minute in every hour during the morning shows and repeat this during the prime time from 7 pm to 12 am for public service messages for fundraising for the construction of dams”.

The directives were issued on the orders of the Supreme Court (dated July 11, 2018) as well as the additional attorney general.

They further detailed that channels should hold telethons featuring “celebrities appealing the general public to donate generously for the noble cause” and have given channel managements three days to submit their reports on the telethon.

The schedule for the PSAs is to be shared right away.

Due to growing water shortage concerns in Pakistan, the SC, under the patronage of Chief Justice Mian Saqib has taken the task of crowdfunding for the construction of new dams.

The SC has already started work on the matter by setting up accounts, for the purpose of collecting donations, at all banks across Pakistan.