ISLAMABAD- Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) asked the Star TV to restore its transmission to cable operators suspended since November 14.

Chairman PTA Mian Mohammad Javed has written a letter to Star TV directing it to comply with the Clause 5.6 of the Regulation.

He said PTA has not approved the rate demanded by Star TV from the cable operators. He also asked the Star TV to ensure that the content provided by it to Pakistani cable market conforms to rules and regulations and societal norms of the country.

PTA has also asked ft Star TV that it cannot fix its changes arbitrarily as the issue of tariff had to be brought to public debate in the country and after seeking the views of all the stakeholders through Open Forum, rates of services are decided.

Earlier, a delegation of Cable Operators Association led by its President Hassan Mustafa called on the PTA to apprise him of the issue of Star TV.

He said Star is demanding Rs 86 per users from cable operators while in India and Bangladesh it was selling its transmission at very low rate.

The Cable Association also complained that the Star is insisting on provision of a bouquet of eight channels for Pakistani market and some of the channels were not compatible with the viewership in the country. The Association requested the PTA to direct the Star TV to reduce it rates.

Chairman PTA also warned the cable operators that pornography will not be tolerated on cable. He said the cable operators must show two Pakistani, one Holy Quran and on Islamic channel on their network.
Source: Business Recorder
Date:12/8/2000