SC bans Indian content on Pakistani TV channels

ISLAMABAD - The supreme court on Saturday barred all Pakistani TV channels from airing Indian content, local media reported.

A bench of the apex court headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan was hearing a petition filed by a producers association against a verdict announced by the Lahore High Court (LHC) allowing the local media to air the Indian content.

https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/pakistan/lhc-indian-movies-allowed-to-air-on-pakistani-tv-channels/

The apex court had suspended the high court verdict. “They are trying to hinder the construction of our dams and we cannot event shut their channels?” remarked the chief justice.

The chief justice has directed the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) to take stern action against violators.

Last year in February, the LHC allowed Private television channels, having valid licences, to show Indian movies as per the terms of their agreements with PEMRA.

LHC's then Chief Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah issued a written order on a petition by M/s Leo Communication and others challenging the ban on the broadcast of Indian content on the televisions.

M/S Leo Communication had filed the petition assailing a circular issued by Pemra on Oct 19, 2016, for being ultra vires of the authority’s rules and the Constitution. In 2010, it was granted a 15-year licence by Pemra to operate a cable channel, “Filmazia”.

The petitioner-company maintained the government was indulging in “selective patriotism” as Indian movies had been allowed to be screened all over the country but not on television.

The fromer chief justice had granted the permission in the light of Pemra’s report that states “television channels are allowed to air Indian films as per clause 7.2 (ii) of Licence to Establish and Operate Satellite TV Broadcast Channel Station.”

A Pemra’s counsel had contended that the permission would be subject to terms and conditions of the licence under the Pemra Ordinance, 2002.