KARACHI, April 20: The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) held a public hearing for award of teleport and FM radio broadcast licenses to successful bidders here on Thursday at its Karachi office.

The representatives of Best Media Production, Alive Broadcasting Company (Pvt) Limited, Xena Satellite Communication (Pvt) Limited and other stakeholders for FM Radio, teleport applicants, and media persons attended the hearing.

Speaking on the occasion Shahid Hamayun, executive member of the Pemra said that two companies, Best Media and Sound View had been granted license of teleport, while four FM radios were declared successful bidders. One satellite TV license had been given to Galaxy Broadcasting Company. They would start operating in their respective regions within a year.

The Pemra officials answered various queries of the participants during the public hearing. The participants lauded the contribution of the authority in promotion of private electronic media in the country.

The Pemra officials said that transparency, accountability and good governance were maintained in its licensing procedures.

It may be mentioned here that under Section 24 (02) of the Pemra Ordinance 2002, the authority can hold public hearings at all provincial capitals, as well as, in federal capital before granting or refusing any broadcast license.

The authority will also hold public hearing on April 22 in Quetta.

The director-general (technical), Abdul Jabbar, was of the view that the Pemra had planned to provide FM radio stations at Taluka levels in the country, because such channels were playing a very positive role in creating awareness among the masses on social issues.

Rana Altaf Majeed, Director-General Enforcement (Sindh) and others were also present.—PPI