Ban on Pak TV channels in India

Monday, July 16, 2012 - INDIA has ultimately shown some willingness to consider a proposal to lift the ban on Pakistani TV channels, which had been in place for quite a long time. According to reports, this was agreed by New Delhi after Pakistan Foreign Secretary Jalil Abbas Jilani’s strong pitch last week proposing India to allow transmission of not just PTV but also private channels, both news and entertainment.

However, we may point out that it is India’s well-considered policy to drag on every issue while engaging the other parties in negotiations. That we have been witnessing in the case of Kashmir, Siachen, Sir Creek and other issues as far as Pakistan is concerned and with other neighbouring countries like sharing of waters with Bangladesh or over issues other issues. We wish that Pakistani authorities while allowing Indian TV channels in Pakistan had at that very point of time made it mandatory for reciprocal telecast of Pakistani TV programmes and News. We may point out that not only Indian TV channels but also films have flooded Pakistan and all this is part of a cultural invasion. Pakistan has a rich culture, some popular Pakistani TV dramas had been in high demand in India and viewed very fondly by people across the border. Anyhow now that the Foreign Secretary has very appropriately raised the matter, we hope the concerned authorities would take the issue with their counterparts and clear the path for relay of news and entertainment programmes in India where the people are deprived of very captivating dramas and popular shows which is violation of human rights as well. We are confident that the matter would also be pursued with urgency by the representative body of Electronic Media as that would help in putting across Pakistan’s view point on different issues and lead to creation of understanding and goodwill between the two peoples.