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Indian channel ban: Pak cable operators threaten to black out local channels
MUMBAI: The Pakistan cable operators are threatening to black out their national channels in protest against the government ban on Indian television channels.
“We are saying so because of repeated demands by our clients to air Indian and other international channels,” IANS has quoted Cable-Operators Association of Pakistan (CAP) vice chairman Khaled Chaudhry as saying.
Pakistan last month banned about 35 entertainment channels, among which 14 are Indian, including Sony Entertainment Television India and Star Plus. The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) justified the decision saying it was a move to regulate satellite broadcasting in the country, Daily Times reported.
The ban on Indian news channels has been in place ever since the Kargil war. Having already banned Indian channels, the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) recently issued a warning to cable operators not to air Indian and other illegal channels.
Now what has irked CAP is the fact that, cable operators who are not listed with Pemra have been allegedly airing the banned channels. Some Indian channels, Star Plus in particular, are the main source of revenues for the Pak cable operators.
The IANS report also quotes a Pemra official as saying that, “We are also under tremendous pressure by Pakistani channels, which are our licensees, not to allow the Indian channels. According to the source, private channels like ARY, owned by an influential business house in Dubai, the GEO channel owned by Jang Group and others have asked Pemra to block Indian channels.”
Cable operators in Pakistan have hinted the possibility of completely blacking out Pakistani channels, if the government failed to lift the ban on Indian channels soon.
The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) last month, banned 35 foreign TV channels – many of which are Indian – in a move to regulate satellite broadcasting in the country, Daily Times reported.
Vice-Chairman of Cable-Operators Association of Pakistan (CAP), Khalid Arain, said: “We have informed the government that we won’t wait longer than a month to see if the ban is lifted otherwise we’ll take extreme action.
“We may stop showing Pakistani and other entertainment channels if the ban is not lifted.”
Cable operators said they would wait for at least two more weeks to see if the issue would be settled.
They said that they have suffered losses due to the ban as a majority of their clientele is addicted to the Indian channels and have withdrawn their subscriptions.
“In just a little over three weeks since the ban was imposed our revenues have dropped 50 percent,” Mr Arain said.
The curbs were initially introduced by the government after a standoff in the relations between the neighbouring countries experienced four years ago.
This would be the second time that cable operators would stop showing Pakistani channels in protest.
In early 2003, cable operators temporarily boycotted telecasting CNN, BBC and Pakistani channels, ARY, Geo and Indus News as a protest against Pemra’s policies.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
