KARACHI: The Cable Operators Association of Pakistan has opposed the advance tax on cable operators slapped by the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority from Oct 1, saying it will ruin cable operators’ business.

Speaking at a conference at the Karachi Press Club on Friday, COAP leaders Abdul Jabar Khan, Ghufran Mustafa and others said that at least 2 million illegal Indian DTH/Dish TV had been sold in Pakistan through which the banned Indian channels were being seen in the country. They pointed out that India was earning billions of rupees through these illegal DTH/Dish TV devices.

They said Pemra had issued licences to cable operators after they had got themselves registered with the government, but DTH/Dish TV devices were being illegally sold in Pakistani markets.

The COAP leaders called upon the government to put an immediate ban on the sale of illegal DTH/Dish TV devices.

They criticised Pemra for imposing an advance tax on cable operators from October and urged Pemra chairman to withdraw it and threatened to take to the streets if the demand was not accepted. —PPI