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Govt decides to regulate Cable TV Channels

ISLAMABAD: The government on Thursday decided to regulate the sector of Cable TV Channels and authorised Pakistan Telecommunication Authority to invite applications for the issuance of licenes.

Adviser to Chief Executive on Information Javed Jabbar told a press briefing that the decision was taken at the Federal Cabinet meeting held here under the chairmanship of Chief Executive General Pervez Musharraf.

"The government has authorised the PTA to invite applications for the issuance of licences to regulate the sector of Cable Television Channels Ñ that is the distribution of cable TV channels as opposed to content origination."

Content origination, he said, is a separate subject which will be dealt with by the Cabinet at a later stage.

Javed Jabbar said the Cabinet decision marks an important step towards acknowledging the importance of this sector.

At the same time, he said, the Cabinet also set up a committee, comprising members from the ministries of communication, finance, information and culture to review comprehensively the rules and the specific parameters that will then become applicable to the issuance of licences.

The Cable TV Network sector has witnessed a spectacular mushroom growth in the last three years.

"It is a very good sign because it shows a sense of enterprise at the grass roots level, using very low-cost distribution methods."

Over 500,000 homes are benefitting from the availability of cable TV channel distribution system, he said.

The adviser said the regulation of this sector will be carried out keeping in view the convenience of the customer Ñ the citizen of Pakistan.

"First and foremost the citizens should continue to benefit from this service."