ISLAMABAD, Oct 5: Cable TV channel operators are airing banned channels in many areas of the country including residential colonies of armed forces in the cantonments, it has been learnt.

Though the government has banned airing of such channels, some cable operators were showing these in most parts of Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Karachi, Rawalpindi and Islamabad. These channels are also being shown at many armed forces localities in Rawalpindi and Islamabad, including the Naval Colony on Margalla Road and in the vicinity of the GHQ, it has been learnt.

A source close to cable operators said well-off families in areas where cable operators did not show banned channels, used dish antennas with decoders to receive such channels.

The banned TV channels are reportedly run by Indians from Dubai and other countries, therefore they were banned in the country to counter Indian propaganda against Pakistan, the source said.

Secretary-general, Pakistan Cable Operators Association (PCOA), Mr Imran told Dawn that Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) had adopted dual standard for cable operators. It had no uniform policy for all cable operators, he added.

He agreed that banned TV channels were being televised in almost all cantonment areas and Naval Complex Islamabad. He said the authority could fine the cable operators from Rs25,000 to Rs500,000 for showing banned TV channels.

When contacted, Pemra’s general manager (cable) Yousaf Aziz said there was a uniform policy for all cable operators. But, sometimes some of them violated the authority’s rules and regulations, he added.

He did not rule out the possibility that banned TV channels were being televised in different parts of the country. However, in case of any specific complaint, action was taken against the violators.

Responding to a question about any consideration to relax the ban, he said so far no such decision had been taken by the government.

Some of the cable channel viewers were of the view that the government should lift ban on all cable TV channels because if bus service could start between India and Pakistan, then why ban on TV channels could not be removed.