Pemra Seizes 84 Head End Equipments In 80 Inspections

MULTAN, (Muzaffargarh.City – 20th Oct, 2016 ) : In a crackdown launched against cable operators transmitting Indian channels, regional authorities of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) have seized 84 Head End equipments during 80 inspections conducted in 11 districts since Oct 15.

Regional General Manager Pemra Multan Faqeer Afzal Masoom told APP on Thursday that Pemra was pursuing a zero tolerance policy against cable operators airing Indian channels. He said the Pemra was focusing all cable operators and monitoring them through surprise inspections in Multan, Khanewal,Lodhran,Vehari,Bahawalpur,Rahim Yar Khan, Bahawalnagar, Dera Ghazi Khan,Muzaffargarh, Layyah and Rajanpur.

Three teams of Pemra Multan remained engaged in operations throughout Multan, Bahawalpur and Dera Ghazi Khan divisions and confiscated 84 Head End or DTH (Direct to Home) equipments which cable operators had installed to air Indian channels.

Two of them were found to be running without even licences and thus were illegal, said Assistant General Manager (Operations) Pemra Multan Ali Raza. At one place Pemra had to seek police assistance to seize equipment, he added.

The teams were still conducting operations in the region and reports were being sent to high-ups regularly. RGM Faqeer Afzal said during the last five days, Pemra Multan teams seized fourteen Head End equipments from Multan, 21 from Khanewal, 21 from Vehari, five from Rahim Yar Khan, 16 from Dera Ghazi Khan, five from Muzaffargarh and two from Rajanpur.