The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) was established under the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority
(the PEMRA Ordinance), and has the mandate to regulate the establishment and operation of all broadcast media and distribution
services, which are regulated in terms of the PEMRA Ordinance and the rules and regulations framed thereunder (the PEMRA Laws). PEMRA
regulates the distribution of foreign and local TV and radio channels in Pakistan
PEMRA shall have the exclusive right to issue licenses for the establishment and operation of all broadcast media and distribution services, provided that this exclusive right shall be used by PEMRA in
conformity with the principles of fairness and equity applied to all potential applicants for licenses, whose eligibility shall be based on
prescribed criteria notified in advance. In the case of radio, television and multichannel multipoint distribution service (MMDS) broadcast
station licenses, this shall be done through an open, transparent bidding process if the number of applications exceeds the number of
licenses to be issued by PEMRA. No person or entity can engage in broadcasting or CTV operation except after procuring a license issued by PEMRA. For purposes of the foregoing:
Broadcast media’ includes such media that originate and propagate broadcast and prerecorded signals by terrestrial means or through satellite for radio or television and includes teleporting, provision of
access to broadcast signals by channel providers and such other forms of broadcast media as the PTA may allow, with the approval of the federal government; and distribution services’ includes a service that receives broadcast and prerecorded signals from different channels and distributes them to
subscribers through cable, wireless or satellite options and includes cable TV, Local Multipoint Distribution Service, MMDS, direct-to-home (DATH) and such other similar technologies. The relevant government ministry regarding telecommunications services is the Ministry of Information, Broadcasting, National History and Literary Heritage (Pakistan).
PEMRA shall issue licenses for broadcast media and distribution services in the following categories, namely: international- and national-scale stations;provincial-scale broadcasts; local area or community-based radio and TV broadcasts;
specific and specialized subjects; distribution services; and unlinking facilities, including teleporting and digital satellite news gathering
Yes, a license shall not be granted to a person who is not a citizen of Pakistan or resident in Pakistan;a foreign company organized under the laws of any foreign government; a company the majority of whose shares are owned or controlled by foreign nationals or companies whose management or control is vested in foreign nationals or companies; or any person funded or sponsored by a foreign government organization.
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