ISLAMABAD, May 31: The Pakistan Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) on Monday declared 32 private parties eligible for the licences of FM radio channels after the bidding process.

As many as 81 applications were received from all the provinces for the bidding presided over by authority Chairman Mian Muhammad Javed.

Executive Member Noor Saghir, General Manager Licensing Syed Fayaz Hassan and Director Enforcement Mansoor Rashid were also present on the occasion. Most of the successful bidders belong to the rural areas of the country.

Two licences were issued for Karachi for which Sachal Satellite Communications (Pvt) Limited was declared a successful bidder with the highest amount of Rs10.4 million. The Financial Broadcasting Services Karachi was declared second for the bid of Rs8.5 million.

The Media Production (Pvt) Limited had also pledged for Rs8.5 million, however the Financial Broadcasting Services Karachi by using the right of equivalence announced Rs10.4 million and was declared successful. About 13 parties from Karachi had submitted applications for the licences. -APP