Pakistan NGO's signature campaign seeks ban on Indian channels

An NGO has started a signature campaign to "pressurise" Pakistan's media watchdog to stop the illegal transmission of Indian channels in the country by cable operators.

The NGO, Hunch, has launched the campaign to get signatures from concerned citizens though SMS or a help desk to pressurise the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) to take action against cable operators illegally showing Indian channels. "Indian soap operas and films are against the ideology, national security and economic interest of Pakistan and causing great losses to Pakistani media as companies are more eager to invest money in Indian channels," Ijaz ur Rehman from the NGO told reporters here.

Rehman said the Indian dramas and films were against public morality, and indecent. He demanded a complete ban by the Pakistani government on airing of Indian channels by cable operators.

Although not legal but Indian entertainment and news channels are freely aired by cable operators particularly in Karachi.