14 November 2007
Islamabad: The Pakistan Government yesterday banned import of satellite dish antennas, decoders and other electronic equipment, a move apparently linked to blackout of private television channels.
According to a commerce ministry announcement no import of any equipment for receiving satellite signals would be allowed without specific permission.
The ban also covers encoders, modulators, high power amplifiers, integrated digital receivers, low noise amplifiers and cameras with satellite transmission facility.
Public demand for dish antennas and satellite receivers sharply went up after the government banned private TV channels after imposition of emergency rule was imposed on November 3 by President General Pervez Musharraf.
Electronic and print media journalists and their organisations have been holding demonstrations almost daily in protest against the curbs.
The state-run television is the only channel available to the people. Musharraf said during his news conference on Sunday that he welcomed criticism but had to take action to check rising vulgarity in television programmes and "defamation by design" of government and its functionaries.
The government has prepared a code of conduct that the media, including private channels, were required to follow. Deputy Information Minister Tariq Azim said in a newspaper interview published yesterday that the channels had to follow rules and regulations.
He said the channels would be allowed to resume their transmissions if they pledged not to indulge in "deliberate defamation" and avoid criticism of the armed forces and the judiciary.
By Shahid Hussain
Gulf News 2007. All rights reserved.
