PEMRA TO ISSUE 14 FM RADIO LICENSES, ONE NON-COMMERCIAL FM LICENSE TO SZABIST LARKANA.

ASSOCIATED PRESS SERVICE
ISLAMABAD:Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority in its 48th meeting held at Islamabad today decided to grant 14 FM radio licenses for various cities of Pakistan. In addition, education purpose FM radio licenses to SZABIST Larkana campus were also approved. With the award of these licenses, the number of licensed FM radios in Pakistan would reach to 120 while raising the number of Radio licenses for education purpose to (14) fourteen. Chairman PEMRA, Mr, Mushtaq Malik presided over the meeting.
FM radio license have been approved for Bahawalpur, Tando Allah Yar Khan, Kashmore, Bolan, Loralai, Qilla Saifullah, Attock, Uper Dir, Pishin, Qilla Abdullah, Tando Muhammad Khan, Umerkot, Kharan and Mustung cities / areas of Pakistan.
Chairman PEMRa, Mr. Mushtaq Malik said that these licensed are being issued pursuant Authority’s objective to penetrate healthy and accessible media in every nook and corner of the country. The Chairman said that PEMRA is constantly striving to adopt latest electronic media technologies in Pakistan which will not only offer wide evariety and choice to viewers but will also help in societal reforms.
The Authority while examining the current status of electronic media in Pakistan resolved to maintain level playing field for all media operators. PEMRA Authority discussed various issues pertaining to “Landing Right Holders” and licenses for satellite TV channels. Emerging media trends and future possible avenues for further healty penetration of media in country were also brought to light. Authority also approved cancellation of four (04) non-operational cable TV licenses. Further, the prospects of cable TV licensing were also discussed in order to streamline this buoyant sector of electronic media industry. The Authority members also deliberated upon and approved PEMRA budget for the financial year 2008-09.
Secretary MoI&B, Mr. Akram Shaheedi, Secretary Interiour, Syed Kamal Shal, Chairman FBR Mr. Abdullah Yousuf Ali, Chairman PTA, Mr. Shahzada Alam Malik and other members including Mr. Asad Jahangir, Mr. Omer Aziz, Dr. Seemi Naghmana and Samar Minallah besides Executive Member PEMRA Mr. Ahmad Mahmood Zahid attended the meeting.