ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) has banned use of drone cameras up to March 23 by the electronic media.

The ban has been imposed all over the country on the request of the armed forces as a part of security measures for the Pakistan Day.

The decision was taken at a high level meeting held here in Pemra Friday, which was attended by officers from the Pakistan Army, ICT administration and Islamabad police.

“The decision has been taken due to security concerns and it will be applicable all over the country,” the spokesman for Pemra said.

He said the army had warned that any flying camera or other object would be shot down.

“Since majority of drone cams are used by the electronic media, the warning has been issued to them,” he said.

“In case of violation not only the flying cameras will be shot down, a case will also be registered against the channel under anti-terrorism act,” the Pemra spokesman said.

Meanwhile, Pemra has decided that strict action would be taken against the TV channel which will operate the flying camera and the breach of directives may also result in revocation of licence and heavy fines.

The armed forces officers told the meeting that all over the world drone cameras, such as helicams, etc., were operated under certain rules and regulations but in Pakistan no such laws existed.

However, the visiting teams were informed that on February 20, 2015 the regulatory authority had issued guidelines for using flying cameras.

“Under the guidelines, licensed electronic media channel cannot use Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) / Quad Copter helicams without the permission of the local administration,” the spokesman for Pemra said.

But the current ban is for those media channels also which hold the local administration’s permission.

Published in Dawn March 21st , 2015

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