Pakistan to grant industry status to cable operators

Industry status is to be conferred to Pakistan’s cable television operators ‘very soon’, says Minister for Information and Broadcasting Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan.

The Minister gave the assurance to Khalid Arain, chairman, Cable Operators Association of Pakistan in Sialkot  and said further issues facing the sector would also be addressed – according to local reports.

At the meeting, Arain said his association would cooperate fully with the Ministry’s views on unacceptable television content, and would continue to provide ‘clean and healthy entertainment’ for Pakistani viewers.

Cable TV operators contribute Rs 617 million in licence fees to the Pakistan treasury and provide substantial employment options, according to government figures released in September 2011. At that time, 2,800 cable operators were registered with the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority.