PEMRA seeks govt help against illegal disruption of Geo News in Karachi

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has sought the assistance of the federal government and local law enforcement agencies to act against those cable operators who have resorted to illegal disruption of Geo News in Karachi.

The move by the regulatory body follows the latest attack on media freedom in the country, after the leading news channel was taken out of the access of people in the provincial capital last night by moving it to the last numbers, making it totally inaccessible in many areas of the metropolis.

According to a press release issued today by PEMRA, the authority's chairman Absar Alam has invoked Section 33-A of PEMRA Ordinance 2002, seeking "immediate assistance from Federal Government to take action against PEMRA law violators in Karachi". 

"PEMRA has requested the Federal Government to direct Law Enforcement Agencies (Sindh Rangers, Sindh Police, Intelligence Agencies) and provincial government Staff to provide immediate assistance to PEMRA to discharge its functions," said the press release.

The statement said that the PEMRA chairman has written a letter to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif asking him to "instruct Sindh Rangers, Sindh Police, Intelligence Agencies and Provincial Government to assist PEMRA in an action being initiated against those Cable Operators who have resorted to illegal disruption Geo News".

"It has also been requested to the Prime Minister of Pakistan, through this letter, to direct the Law Enforcement Agencies assist PEMRA to bring to justice those unidentified persons coercing Cable Operators, who are PEMRA license holders as well, into unlawful actions," it said.

PEMRA said it has also ordered 11 cable operators, namely Home Vision, City/GIA, New DIGI, Tracks, KCS, Global Cable, Karachi Cable, Skyline, Show Time, Universal Production, and Sky Multi Services, to immediately restore Geo News at the position at which it was being relayed on 28th July.

"PEMRA teams will inspect the cable operators at their premises if they have complied with PEMRA orders or not," it said.

"These cable operators have also been directed to show cause, as to why they violated provisions of the License Term & Conditions and Distribution Service Regulation 2011. Non-compliance of PEMRA order to restore Geo News at its previous position shall be treated as a separate offence, cognizable under Section 29 & 30 of PEMRA Ordinance.

"According to law, PEMRA has exclusive jurisdiction to issue, suspend or revoke any broadcast or distribution service license and implement PEMRA laws and terms & conditions of the license.

"Needless to remind all licensees that PEMRA is determined to establish its writ. Any unlawful efforts by a group or individual to encroach upon its Authority, will be dealt with strictly according to law," it added.