Govt says 14 TV channels from Pakistan illegal

NEW DELHI: There are as many as 14 television channels from Pakistan out of a list of 25 channels which security agencies in the Government have identified as illegal.

The agencies have said that the content of some of these channels is not conducive to the security environment in the country and is a potential security hazard.

Parliament was informed that out of the other 11, there are two from Nepal (one identified as Nepal, and the other as Kantipur), and one channel each from Bangladesh (NTV Bangladesh), Maldives (TV Maldives), Bhutan (Bhutan Broadcasting Service), and there is a UK-based channel, Ahmedia Channel.

Other channels from Arab countries are Peace TV from Dubai, Saudi TV, and Al Jazeera News.

The Pakistani channels are PTV, PTV Home, PTV World, Geo TV, Dawn, Express, Waqat, Q TV, Madni TV, Noor TV, Hadi TV, Aaj, Filmax and STV.

The nationality of two channels has not been disclosed: ARY TV and XYZ TV.

According to Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting C M Jatua, amendments have been made in the Cable TV Networks (Regulation) Act 1995 to tackle illegal channels, making their transmission a cognizable offence. Another amendment to the same bill in this regard had been introduced in the Lok Sabha in December and is awaiting approval of Parliament.

Authorised officers have been appointed in all states to deal with complaints against cable operators carrying these channels, Jatua said.