NEW DELHI: Action has been taken by the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) against cable TV operators in Faisalabad and vicinities in Pakistan involved in relaying banned content and excessive CD channels including some from Indian television channels and films.

The action was taken against operators who continued to ignore repeated warnings.

A PEMRA Enforcement team headed by AGM Waqar and Inspector Rao Amir Hafeez seized the equipments of Friends Cable Network at Samandari Faisalabad which were being used in illegal transmission in violation of PEMRA Laws.

There were also large number of public complaints against cable operators for airing programmes / channels in contravention to the socio-cultural norms and most of the CD channels run by them were illegal.

Some cable operators who faced action were airing illegal advertisements of fake and spurious drugs, quacks and hazardous ointments which were prohibited by the Pakistan Health Ministry and PEMRA.

MUMBAI: A Pakistani parliamentary panel has recommended a ban on foreign content during prime time on local television channels in order to protect the domestic television industry, according to Pakistani media reports.

The proposal would particularly have an impact on Indian and Turkish soaps, which have gained popularity in Pakistan over the years, if the recommendation is accepted.

The Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting of Pakistan?s National Assembly has also recommended that the government should act tough against channels that violate the proposed ban.
 
The panel made its recommendation following a discussion on foreign serials dubbed in Urdu and the impact it has on local culture.

The committee recommended that if the rules of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority allow the airing of the foreign content, such programming should only be subtitled in Urdu or English.
 
The committee also asked Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) to suggest that the government should ban all advertisements featuring foreign talent.

The parliamentary panel meeting was attended by Information Secretary Rasheed Ahmed, PEMRA Chairman Abdul Jabbar, and television actors Qavi Khan, Laila Zuberi and Maria Wasti.

Actor Asif Raza Mir suggested that Indian programming on FM radio too should be banned.