Pakistan imposes complete ban on Indian content on TV, radio

TIL Desk/World/Islamabad-Amid rising tensions with India, Pakistan’s media regulatory authority on Wednesday approved a complete ban on airing of Indian content in Pakistan from October 21. The decision was taken at the 120th meeting of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) held on Wednesday in the federal capital.

The federal government had earlier suggested banning airing of Indian content in a tit-for-tat move after Pakistani content was completely banned by India. The ban will come into effect at 3 p.m. on October 21, and violators will be prosecuted under law, said the statement. Radio and television stations which violate the ban will have their licences suspended without a prior show cause notice, said the statement issued from the regulatory authority.

The ban extends to all Indian content on cable and radio being aired in the country. “Pemra, with the authority vested by the federal government, today announces the cancellation of the one-sided rights given to India by the Pervez Musharraf government,” said the Pemra statement. Earlier in October, Pemra granted Absar Alam the authority to revoke or suspend licences of companies airing Indian content without providing prior notice.