BBC Monitoring is reporting that Pakistan’s Electronic Media Regulator Authority (PEMRA) has approved the cancellation of 425 cable TV licences across the country. PEMRA made the decision at a meeting on January 16th.

PEMRA says many of the licences were dormant, or were in default. “There were total of 3,600 PEMRA licensed cable operators across the country; however, after cancellation of 425 cable TV licences, the number would plummet to 3,175. PEMRA also approved cancellation of ‘Metro One’, TV channel’s license on the premise that the license was void according to Rule 13 of PEMRA Rules.  The rule states that a person engaged in a distribution service (cable TV etc) cannot hold a broadcast licence and vice versa,” says the BBC report.

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