Pakistan bans ALL Indian channels, promises stern action against violators
Representational Image
No Indian TV channel can be viewed in the country after October 15, the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) said on Saturday.
According to The Nation, Pakistani people have demanded action be taken against ‘all Indian channels’.
The step comes as tensions rise between the two neighbouring nations after India said that it conducted surgical strikes across the Line of Control at terror launch pads in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
The body has also stated that strict action will be taken against cable operators who continue to broadcast Indian channels and fail to comply with the ban.
It also alleged that Pakistani programmes have been banned in India and Indian artistes have given negative messages against Islamabad which resulted in provoking the public to demand closure of Indian channels.
Back home, ever since the attack on Uri base on September 18, many have called for a ban on Pakistani actors working in the country. While some from the fraternity, like Anupam Kher and Subhash Chandra, were sympathetic to the cause, they were clear that it was ‘nation first’.
Chanrdra, who is the chairman of Zee Network, also announced that he will be pulling all Pakistani shows off air from its Zindagi channel.
MNS had also given an ultimatum to Pakistani artistes to leave India within 48 hours, or face consequences. The party also announced that it won’t let films starring Pakistani stars, Karan Johar’s Ae Dil Hai Mushkil and Shah Rukh Khan’s Raees, to release.
In the wake of Wednesday night’s surgical strikes, the Indian Motion Picture Producers Association (IMPPA) on Thursday passed a resolution to ban Pakistani actors from the industry till normalcy returns.
While the ban on Indian channels comes following the IMPPA resolution, a similar sentiment was prevalent across the border since the last few days, with a lawyer filing a petition in Lahore High Court seeking a ban on Indian films till the Kashmir issue is resolved and actor Hamza Ali Abbasi urging Pakistani artistes to boycott Bollywood.
