Cable operators call off strike after LHC halts DTH auction

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Tuesday issued a stay order halting the impending auction of Direct-to-Home (DTH) services on 23 November by the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA). 

Justice Ayesha A. Malik was heading a three-member bench, which stated that the matter was currently being head in court. The court stated that a verdict has been reserved on the matter but will not be issued now.

Therefore, it was inappropriate that PEMRA was holding the auction in these circumstances. The court after hearing pleas issued a stay order halting the auction on 23 November until the court issues a full verdict.

Consequently the cable operators association called off its indefinite strike after the decision of the LHC. Khalid Arain, president of the cable operators association said that the decision to call off the strike was made after the court order.

Arain had also met Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Maryam Aurangzeb who had assured him that the concerns of cable operators will be addressed over the matter.

Arain while speaking to ARY News said that the Pakistan Broadcasters Association had also assured him that a committee will be formed over the matter.

The cable operators had strongly protested against the DTH services and demanded that its introduction should be halted for at least five years, and that the DTH will provide immense economic losses to the cable industry which contributes billions in taxes to the national exchequer.

The cable operator had gone on an indefinite strike after talks with PEMRA Chairman Absar Alam and Minister for Finance Senator Ishaq Dar had failed.