 AUG 20 - The government will allow 14 private television
channels to air a limited amount of foreign content in their
daily transmissions, according to BBC news report.
No more than 10% of content must come from abroad, the
ruling says. Indian programming is capped at 60% of that
figure. About 40% will be in English.
The move follows months of wrangling between cable operators
and government officials.
Indian channels are banned in Pakistan, but cable operators
flout the ban and regularly air popular Indian serials.
News of the government decision came in a written reply from
cabinet minister Zulfiqar Ali Gondal to a question in the
National Assembly.
Maj-Gen Gondal said limited foreign programming would be
allowed only on those channels which could be viewed outside
as well as inside Pakistan, such as the private Geo and ARY
channels.
But many private channels had not adhered to the specified
quota and the government had imposed taxes and other
measures on cable operators.
This led to months of widespread protests and strikes by
cable operators.
All channels would now have to follow the code of conduct
laid down by Pemra, Maj-Gondal said. |
