ISLAMABAD, May 3: Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani has approved the transfer of the administrative control of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) from cabinet division to the information and broadcasting division with immediate effect, a notification issued by the cabinet division said.

Pemra formed, through promulgation of an ordinance in 2002, is responsible for facilitating and regulating the establishment and operation of all broadcast media and distribution services in Pakistan established for the purpose of international, national, provincial, district, and local or special target audiences.

The authority is mandated to improve the standards of information, education and entertainment and enlarge the choice available to the people of Pakistan in the media for news, current affairs, religious knowledge, art, culture, science, technology, economic development, social sector concerns, music, sports, drama and other subjects of public and national interest.

The authority was also tasked to facilitate the devolution of responsibility and power to the grass roots by improving the access of the people to mass media at the local and community level, and ensure accountability, transparency and good governance by optimising free flow of information.