ISLAMABAD- The Capital Development Authority (CDA) continued its operation against illegal cable TV operators. In the course of the drive the CDA removed dozens of cable installations, depriving some 100,000 people in the federal capital of cable TV channel facility.

Cable operators expressed their concern at the CDA action and said the authority should have issued notices to them before removing their installations. A CDA spokesman claimed that the authority had issued notices to the cable operators a month ago but they had not taken proper steps to lay the cables underground instead of using polls, trees and walls of houses.

He said some 100 cable operators had been doing their business in the capital city but only 20 of them had acquired licences from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority and the rest were running the businesses illegally. The authority removed cable operating channels at Karachi Company, G-9, G-10, G-8 Markaz, I-8, 1-9, 1-10 and other places. It told the people to avoid getting cable TV connections from those who had not acquired NOC from the authority for laying cable network in different localities. “Before getting cable TV connections, people should better confirm whether the operator from whom they are getting service, has taken NOC from CDA or not,” he warned.

He said that some cable operators in Islamabad were laying underground cables without having valid license/NOC from the PTA and permission from CDA.

He added that since sensitive cable network of PTCL and Wapda had been laid all over the city and unauthorized laying of cables would cause damages to them involving huge expenditure for their repair. The authority advised all cable operators to approach CDA with PTA licence/NOC to obtain the line alignment and permission for road cut before laying any cables. Anyone involved in laying cables without permission from CDA would be proceeded against and the material liable to confiscation.

Source: Dawn
Date:10/24/2000