KARACHI: Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) chairman Mirza Saleem Baig has asked cable operators to air more Pakistani channels and told them they were not allowed to show Indian channels.

Addressing a press conference on Friday, he warned the cable operators of strict action if they violated the law.

The Pemra chairman further said he was aware of their problems and that the authority was doing its best for the industry’s betterment and the people associated with it.

“As one of the measures, we have cut the cable operators’ fees,” he said. “Similarly, Pakistani DTH (direct to home broadcast) will be launched by November this year and it will be available in the market by December. This will further help the industry to grow at a faster pace,” Mr Baig said.

The Pemra chief praised Karachi traders for respecting the authority’s rules and said availability of illegal Indian DTH was a threat to Pakistani DTH. “The crackdown against those cable operators who are promoting this illegality will be intensified soon.”

Published in Dawn, April 13th, 2019