MUMBAI: A Pakistani court has permitted private television channels having valid licences to show Indian movies as per their conditions of agreement with Pakistan's regulator. In its October 2016 order, PEMRA had banned Pakistani private channels being operated through cable network from airing the Indian content.

According to PTI, the Lahore High Court chief justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah yesterday permitted private television channels in the light of the report put by the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) before the court.

Shah passed the interim order on a petition that was filed by Leo Communication challenging the ban on telecast of Indian content on cable television network. Channels, the report stated, could be allowed to run Indian films as per clause 7.2 (ii) of License Establish & Operate Satellite TV Broadcast Channel Station.

Petitioner's counsel Taffazul Rizvi argued that the channels should also be allowed to telecast Indian plays as they also come under the definition of ‘entertainment’ under the licence agreement with PEMRA. A PEMRA law officer contended, seeking time to establish that ‘entertainment’ does not include ‘Indian plays’. He said the channels were allowed to run Indian films as per terms of their licence agreements with PEMRA.

When Indian movies were being screened in cinemas in Pakistan, Justice Shah had earlier observed, what justification the government/PEMRA had to ban them on TV. The court then adjourned the hearing till 2 March.

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