Rebecca Hawkes ©RapidTVNews | 25-09-2011


Cable TV operators contribute Rs 617 million in licence fees to the Pakistan treasury and provide substantial employment options, according to government figures.

Dr Fidous Ahiq Awan, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting highlighted the importance of the sector to the economy during a meeting with the Cable Operators Association of Pakistan.

She added that 2,800 cable operators are currently registered with Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra), said The News International.

Dr Firdous reportedly said the government wants to help the nation’s cable operators to update their technology and skillset, to ensure the provision of strong electronic media.

“In a nutshell, investment by the operators would be diversified, creating more revenue generation and more employment opportunities,” Dr Firdous was quoted as saying in The News International.

The government intends, she said to build a strong and ethical partnership between Pemra, the Cable Operators Association of Pakistan, and the Pakistan Broadcasting Authority.

Meanwhile, she reportedly added: “Pemra’s Council of Complaint, comprising people of repute from different walks of life, is already functional and cable operators too like any other stakeholder, can approach it for redressal of their grievances.”

The recommendations provided by the Cable Operators Association during her last meeting with them had largely been accepted by the government. For example, she said an extension in the grace period for the payment of license fees before penalty charges are incurred has been introduced.

The government is also supporting the cable operators from the 23 flood affected districts of Sindh and five areas in Balochistan, she said - reportedly adding: “I, however, also expect the financially strong association of the cable operators to generate funds for their affected fellows in particular and other rain victims in general.”