ISLAMABAD: Cable Operators Association of Pakistan Chairman Khalid Arain on Wednesday claimed that the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) will launch a crackdown against the over-the-top (OTT) platforms, such as Netflix, after Eidul Azha.

He said that a fruitful discussion had been taken pl­ace with the senior officials of Pemra, during which the concerns of cable operators were conveyed to them.

“Our hands are tied and we have restrictions in broadcasting several channels,” he said, adding, “But on the other hand, OTTs have all the freedom to show famous channels.”

He was referring to the OTT platform, which is a technology that delivers content over the internet.

Mr Arain added: “We demanded Pemra that those cable operators, who are providing internet and cable service, should be regularised.”

He announced that the demands of the cable operators have been met by the regulator and a committee of Pemra will decide the issue to grant licences to cable operators and launch crackdown against OTT platforms after Eidul Azha.

Mr Arain called for zero-tax on the cable sector, saying that similar to the solar power industry, the taxes on cable operators should also be relaxed. However, he could not provide the rationale for this demand.

He also said that the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority collects the Local Loop licence fee from cable operators in US dollars, while subscribers pay the cable operators in local currency, which was unfair due to the current rupee-dollar parity.

Meanwhile, Pemra said in a statement on Wednesday that it had formed committees to ensure the inclusion of web TVs and OTT services under the ambit of broadcast media services, APP reported.

Published in Dawn, June 22nd, 2023