According to Khalid Arain, Chairman of the Cable Operators Association of Pakistan, the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) is reportedly planning to initiate a crackdown on over-the-top (OTT) platforms like Netflix following the Eidul Azha holiday.
Arain stated that a productive discussion had occurred between cable operators and senior Pemra officials, during which the concerns of the cable operators were conveyed.
He said:
Our hands are tied and we have restrictions in broadcasting several channels. But on the other hand, OTTs have all the freedom to show famous channels.
In his statement, he was alluding to the OTT platform, which provides streaming content over the internet.
Arain further emphasized the cable operators’ request for regulatory measures regarding those operators who provide both internet and cable services.
He announced that the regulatory body has responded positively to the cable operators’ demands. A committee within Pemra will be established to address the issue of granting licenses to cable operators and will initiate a crackdown on OTT platforms following the conclusion of Eidul Azha.
Arain advocated for a tax exemption in the cable sector, drawing a parallel to the solar power industry and suggesting that taxes on cable operators should be eased. However, he did not provide a specific explanation or justification for this request.
Furthermore, he highlighted an inequity where the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) collects Local Loop license fees from cable operators in US dollars, while subscribers make payments to cable operators in the local currency.
Arain deemed this situation unfair, citing the existing rupee-dollar exchange rate as a factor.
Lol, we are truly living under a dictatorship.
Nawaz Sharif ki corruption per documentary kiya bana di kisi sacche journalist ne, ab in per bhi ban lage ga lol
What documentary? I wanna see it too. Pls direct
Jo ap ki marzi Ka boly wohe Tu Sacha journalist hai. Ap he kyn nai bn jaty journalist, phir Raat din Imran Khan ki Tarah corruption Ka ratta mara karye ga
As soon as the “Cable Operators Association of Pakistan” realizes that they are in a dead-business, the better. The future is digital, and cable operators will go the way of dinosaurs. I do not think many young people even watch TV anymore. I am 40, and have not watched TV, or had cable since the past 7-8 years now.
Same. I am all into netflix and prime. Watch tv for some cricket stuff not otherwise usually.
They should rename the country from PAKISTAN to CORRUPTISTAN….
Don’t they have more bigger issues and relevant things to do now adays everyone is looking on other domains. Nobody is focusing on the MAIN agenda of the country people are dying to to starve and most don’t have shelter over their heads but still they are more concerns about OTT !! What a Shame.
Main focus is should be on how we can increase our Country growth and maintain a state among the world renowned countries. We can’t even get our culprits to justice because everyone is corrupted or in disguised pertaining to be a People Person!!
I hope people may wake up and stood against these unjust Infront of their eyes.
Good Luck Pakistani to have a better country nearly never ago.. !!
Instead of easing the restrictions on Cable Operators, they are planning to ban streaming sites.
Backwards people with backward brains coming up with backward solution to legitimate competition.
Instead of making the quality of their content better and try to give unbiased news and opinions they are going to choke whatever good is left in the entertainment and news industry .
That is the sad reality of almost every business in Pakistan. They don’t want to improve themselves. They want an unfair advantage from foreign firms and continue selling bad products and services to the people. Every industry is the same. Sorry to be so negative but we are beyond all hope
What a banana republic this govt has reduced us to. But then this is just a puppet regime of the corrupt establishment.
Instead of giving tax exemption to cable operators, govt should impose double tax on Netflix in Pakistan.
8-10 saal bad perma ko jaag a gei ha ab 😂🤣
There 100s of websites where u can watch any series for free…. go ban netlfix,disney or whatever u want
Aag lagi basti may, Arain bhai apni Masti may
Has anything good ever happened in this country? It seems that our brains are in our ancles.
PEMRA Kuch bhi nhn kr sakta Ptcl nay bhi apna ott launch kr diya hai 15 saal main. Etisalat say apnay paisay lay nhn salary uska ott kaisay ban kraingay
Cable operators are running poor quality cable services for a very long time now. People had no choice in the past and were forced to take low quality cable services. Now things have changed globally and everything is going digital. Paying 300 to 400 a month for 10,000 channels with hd quality is far better then paying 600 for low grade cable tv channels.
Instead of improving quality, ban culture in Pakistan is rising. Go do whatever you want puppet govt. We can use 1.1.1.1 vpn and premium of netflix will still continue through other platforms.
Yes ye hoi na baat..
These cable operators want people to beg them like we all do in early 2000 please play this movie please open that channel and still in 2023 they are providing low grade quality like Antina even in India cable operators is finished because India have many DTH dishes if people want to watch 4k then why these cable operators have issue
Aah yes.. we cant make e-sevices like indians already did. Jio tv etc is clear example.. these are living in stone ages. Grow up guys.. hire a devleoper and start electronic services and you will see changes. And dont cry.. hire young pahre like log and will be fine..