Before elections, J&K blanks out Pakistan channels

Ahead of Pakistan elections, Jammu and Kashmir authorities have asked the cable operators to stop airing banned channels.

More than 30 channels — including Pakistani private news and entertainment —  will be shut following the magistrate’s directive.

Additional district magistrate of Srinagar, in a written communication to the executive director of SEN Digital Network, said that J&K government’s home department has reported that they are transmitting unpermitted/banned satellite channels within the Srinagar jurisdiction. Invoking the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act 1995, he asked them to immediately stop doing so within three days or else action will be taken. “It has become necessary in the interest of public and maintenance of peace to prohibit the transmission of channels which are not permitted by the I&B ministry,” he said.