Cable Operators on Tuesday announced the end of their country-wide strike and resumption of cable services, said Cable Operator Association leader Khalid Arain.

The operators had suspended their services on Monday in various parts of the country following a strike call after the refusal from Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) to postpone the auction of Direct-to-Home (DTH) service licences.

The Lahore High Court also issued a stay order on Tuesday to halt the auctioning of Direct-to-Home (DTH) licences which was scheduled to be held on November 23, reported DawnNews.

Pemra Chairman Absar Aalam, however, indicated that the auction of DTH licence services will be held as per announced schedule in accordance with the earlier orders of the supreme court .

"DTH is an inevitable platform for progress in media services and SC had instructed Pemra not to halt auctioning of the DTH licences," said Absar Alam.

The Pemra chairman also revealed that licences are allotted under a transparent system and licences will not be allotted to any company which do not have more than 49 per cent shares in Pakistan.

"The ones who are opposing and running campaigns against DTH, the ones who have approached the courts, had never opposed Indian DTH," added Alam.

While talking to media persons, Absar Alam also said,"Business of cable operators will not be affected by introduction of DTH."

While commenting on the stance of Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA), the Pemra chairman revealed that PBA had recommended in the court to introduce the DTH as soon as possible.

"Cable operators do not have any reason for strike and I wish they had opposed the Indian DTH in the same way," he said.

"In light of the apex court's decision, cable operators do not have the right to halt access of Pakistanis to DTH service," he added.

Unlike the traditional cable connections, DTH service is a digital setup that broadcasts channels directly to homes from satellite using small dish antennas

Pemra on November 12 had shortlisted 12 companies for participation in the first auction on November 23 for DTH service licences.

The shortlisted companies are:

  • Orient Electronics (Lah­ore)
  • Mag Entertainment (Lah­ore)
  • Skyflix (Islamabad)
  • Startimes Communications (Islamabad)
  • Sardar Builders (Islamabad)
  • Smart Sky (Islamabad)
  • Parus Media and Broadcast (Islamabad)
  • Naya Tel (Islamabad)
  • Maestro Media Distribution (Islamabad)
  • Sha­h­zad Sky (Islamabad)
  • HB DTH (Islamabad)
  • IQ Communications (Karachi)

Opinion

Editorial

Smog hazard
Updated 05 Nov, 2024

Smog hazard

The catastrophe unfolding in Lahore is a product of authorities’ repeated failure to recognise environmental impact of rapid urbanisation.
Monetary policy
05 Nov, 2024

Monetary policy

IN an aggressive move, the State Bank on Monday reduced its key policy rate by a hefty 250bps to 15pc. This is the...
Cultural power
05 Nov, 2024

Cultural power

AS vital modes of communication, art and culture have the power to overcome social and international barriers....
Disregarding CCI
Updated 04 Nov, 2024

Disregarding CCI

The failure to regularly convene CCI meetings means that the process of democratic decision-making is falling apart.
Defeating TB
04 Nov, 2024

Defeating TB

CONSIDERING the fact that Pakistan has the fifth highest burden of tuberculosis in the world as per the World Health...
Ceasefire charade
Updated 04 Nov, 2024

Ceasefire charade

The US talks of peace, while simultaneously arming and funding their Israeli allies, are doomed to fail, and are little more than a charade.