The Islamabad High Court (IHC) vide its order date 01-07-2019 has allowed Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) to continue the process of granting new licences for satellite TV channels for which bidding was held on 2nd, 3rd May, 2019 in pursuance to an advertisement dated December 25, 2018.
To restrain PEMRA from issuing new licences, the matter was challenged by Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA) in Islamabad High Court. However, the matter has been decided in favor of PEMRA where the authority has pledged before the court that legitimate rights of all of its licensees / stakeholders shall be protected in accordance with the law of land and provision of PEMRA laws.
It is pertinent to mention here that PEMRA had held bidding for issuance of Fifty Eight (58) Satellite Television Licences. Eight (8) in News &Current Affairs, Sixteen (16) in Entertainment, Five (5) in Sports, Two (2) in Agriculture, Twelve (12) in Regional languages, Four (4) in Health and Eleven (11) in Education genre were issued.
