Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) in its 50th meeting held at Islamabad on Thursday decided to grant a license to M/s Central Media Network to establish and operate satellite TV channel with the brand name of Value TV, besides approving more licenses of cable TV for rural areas of Pakistan aimed at offering wide variety and choice to viewers at grass roots level.
Chairman Pemra Mushtaq Malik presided over the meeting. Malik said that these licenses are being issued in pursuant to Authority's objective to promote healthy and accessible media in every nook and corner of the country. The chairman Pemra credited this boom in electronic media to Governments' unequivocal commitment to a free media and the proactive role played by Pemra in this regard.
He told that during the first 100-days of present government, 16 Satellite TV, 10 FM radio, 232 cable TV licenses and 02 Landing Rights permission have already been given besides Thursday's development.
The Chairman said that freedom and facilitation offered by present government has served as a catalyst for the unprecedented growth of electronic media. Besides new vistas for investment and employment have opened up. The authority while examining the current status of electronic media in Pakistan approved proposal of rationalising tariff for satellite TV channels and Landing Right Permission in consonance with international market practices.
Emerging media trends and future possible avenues for further healthy penetration of media in country were also brought to light. Secretary Interior Syed Kamal Shah and other members including Asad Jahangir, Dr Seemi Naghmana besides Executive Member Pemra Ahmad Mahrnood Zahid attended the meeting.