ISLAMABAD: Karachi Electronic Dealers Association (KEDA) voluntarily destroyed illegal direct to home (DTH) and C-Line equipment at Regal Chowk, Saddar, Karachi, Chairman Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA), Muhammad Saleem Baig was the chief guest.

Addressing on the occasion, Chairman PEMRA appreciated the role of Traders Association, honoring PEMRA laws saying availability of illegal Indian DTH was a potential threat to Pakistani DTH.

Moreover, sphere of crackdown will be extended against those cable operators who are promoting this illegality by accessing illegal channels through Indian DTH.

He urged that orders of the Supreme Court given in this context should be implemented in letter and spirit so that local investment in DTH is protected and social, cultural , religious and ethical values of Pakistan, as well.

Estimates show that huge number of illegal Indian DTH decoders of Dish TV, TATA, SKY, Airtel, Video Con, SubBig, Reliance etc have been smuggled in Pakistan over the last few years, Illegal DTH is also a source of distribution of illegal and unlicensed TV channels in Pakistan in violation of PEMRA Laws and causing huge losses to government exchequer, said a press release.

PEMRA field staff in close coordination with other law enforcement agencies including Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Custom Intelligence, Police and Rangers had launched crackdown against illegal Indian DTH.

Thousands of illegal Indian DTH and C-Line equipments were impounded and subsequently destroyed during this drive in last one year.

Several cases were also registered against those, involved in illegal activities.

It is worth mentioning that DTH is a digital satellite distribution platform for delivery of more than 250 television channels directly to viewers/end users without any intermediary.

Executive member Ashfak Jumani, Secretary to the Authority Fakhar-ud-Din Mughal, Regional General Manager, Karachi and President Karachi Electronics Dealers Association Muhammad Rizwan along with other members of the Association were present on the occasion.