The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) chairman has invoked Section 33-A of PEMRA Ordinance 2002, seeking immediate assistance from the federal government to take action against PEMRA law violators in Karachi.
PEMRA has requested the federal government to direct law enforcement agencies (Sindh Rangers, Sindh Police, intelligence agencies) and provincial government staff to provide immediate assistance to PEMRA to discharge its functions.
The Section 33-A has been invoked through a letter by the Chairman PEMRA to the Prime Minister to instruct Sindh Rangers, Sindh Police, Intelligence Agencies and Provincial Government to assist PEMRA in an action being initiated against those Cable Operators who have resorted to illegal disruption of “Geo News”.
It has also been requested to the Prime Minister, through this letter to direct the Law Enforcement Agencies assist PEMRA to bring to justice those unidentified persons coercing Cable Operators, who are PEMRA license holders as well, into unlawful actions.
PEMRA has also ordered 11 Cable Operators, namely, Home Vision, City/GIA, New DIGI, Tracks, KCS, Global Cable, Karachi Cable, Skyline, Show Time, Universal Production & Sky Multi Services to immediately restore “Geo News” at the position at which it was being relayed on July 28, 2016. PEMRA teams will inspect the cable operators at their premises if they have complied with PEMRA orders or not.
These cable operators have also been directed to show cause, as to why they violated provisions of the License Terms & Conditions and Distribution Service Regulation 2011.
