KARACHI, March 30: Twenty-four private TV channels are in pipeline, said Chairman, Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra), Iftikhar Rasheed. Briefing the media after holding separate meetings with cable operators and private TV channel’ owners here at Pemra office on Thursday, the Pemra chief said: “We have 24 applications in pending for new channels. Licenses will be issued as soon as Cross Media Bill is passed.”

To a query, he explained that no Indian TV channel was banned but some were not on the screen here for their violation of the local laws. Sixty foreign TV channels were issued notices by Pemra in November 2005 when it found that these were operating in Pakistan without getting licenses and paying fees for landing rights.

He said 34 channels were allowed operations as these responded and applied along with submitting due fees. Whereas, 29 channels had so far not applied.

He said Pemra was seriously watching the contents of these foreign channels.

He said Pemra’s main responsibility was to guard interests of cable and TV operators along with those of the consumers.

He said the purpose of the meetings with cable and TV operators was to listen to their problems for resolution and informing them about Pemra’s limitations and future plans.

Pemra’s Director General (Enforcement), Rana Latif Majid assisted the chairman.

—APP