Cable operators blocking Geo channels to lose licences, says Pervaiz

ISLAMABAD: The Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Senator Pervaiz Rashid, on Thursday directed the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) to ensure smooth transmission of Geo and another private TV channels on cable networks.

The minister asserted that the government would not allow anyone to take the law into their own hands. He said the government believed in the freedom of expression and would facilitate the media, so that it could perform its duties in accordance with the professional ethos.

Pervaiz Rashid said this while talking to the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) President Afzal Butt, who called on him. Pemra’s acting Chairman Pervaiz Rathore was also present on the occasion.

The minister asked Afzal Butt to end their ongoing protests in various parts of Pakistan, keeping in view sanctity of the Holy Month of Ramzan and the military operation in North Waziristan against terrorists.

Pervaiz Rathore assured the minister that their (cable operators) licences would be cancelled if they continued their activities against the law of the land.

Rashid was also told that new licences would be issued in case of non-compliance of Pemra rules by the cable operators and bidding for DHT service would be started soon so that people could watch channels of their own choice without any interference or hurdle.