Newly Constituted Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority Body Meets

Islamabad: The meeting of the Members of Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority was held today here at the PEMRA headquarters Islamabad. Information Minister Dr. Firdous Aashiq Awan welcomed the new Members on board. The term of Members of PEMRA Authority from general public had expired and the new Authority members have recently been appointed for a term of four years.

The Minister for Information and Broadcasting rested hope in recently appointed Members representing public and expected them to work with greater zeal and commitment in order to make organization more strong and robust in discharging its regulatory functions. She resolved to empower the regulator and assured all her cooperation in this regard.

Later, Acting Chairman PEMRA, Dr. Abdul Jabbar briefed the Members of Authority on Role, Function, Organization, its laws, Regulations and achievements. He apprised them that PEMRA in short span of few years has performed remarkably in transforming national media landscape which was previously had been a turf of state run media. Acting Chairman PEMRA told in his briefing that PEMRA has issued 87 satellites TV, 147 FM radio, 26 landing right permission to off-shore channels. Besides, 2,359 cable TV, 06 wireless cable TV, 04 mobile TV and one IPTV licenses have been issued that has acted as catalyst of socio-political change. Dr. Abdul Jabbar further told that PEMRA has temporarily halted licensing process as criteria and regulations are being reviewed in line with best suited international practices.

PEMRA Authority during this meeting took significant decisions and approved PEMRA budget for year 2011-12 as ordained under Section 15 of PEMRA Amendment Act 2007. The Authority also approved issuing two non-commercial FM radio licenses one each to University of Agriculture Faisalabad and M/s Live Stock Radio, Pakistan. Revised In-House (CD) channels tariff for cable TV operators offering substantial relief to small category cable operators was also approved. The Authority deliberated upon existing criteria for grant of landing rights permission to foreign TV channels. In addition, the Members also approved Revised PEMRA Employees Service Regulation.

The meeting was attended by Acting Chairman PEMRA Dr. Abdul Jabbar, Secretary Ministry of Information, Secretary Ministry of Interior, Chairman PTA and Members from the public included Ms. Shama Parveen Magsi, Mian Shams, Mr. Israr Ahmad Abbasi and Ms. Fareeha Iftikhar.

For more information, contact:
Muhammad Tahir
Deputy General Manager
Media and PR
Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA)
Tel: +92 51 910 7128
Fax: +92 51 910 7112
E-mail: info@pemra.gov.pk