KARACHI, Nov 29: The Sindh High Court suspended the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) decision reducing the charges payable by cable operators to channel distributors to one rupee per subscriber.

Initially, the charges ranged from Rs6 to Rs8 but were reduced by Pemra to provide relief to the cable operators and their customers. The decision was challenged by the Dubai Marine Establishment, a Pakistan-based concern responsible for distributing Star Plus programmes, under the Pemra Act through Advocates Mahmood Mandviwalla and Ejaz Ahmad.

Pending the adjudication of the appeal, the appellant sought suspension of the impugned rate. Justice S. Ahmed Sarwana, who is hearing the case, passed an interim order staying the Pemra decision and adjourned further hearing of the case to Dec 9.