Arif Nizami assures PBA to resolve electronic media issues

Lahore: The Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Arif Nizami has assured the Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA) his unequivocalsupport in resolving their issues through dialogue and mutual consultation.

During a meeting held at PEMRA Headquarters Islamabad with the delegation of the PBA Executive Body led by Kazi Aslam, the Information Minister said that the Ministry and PEMRA would work hand in glove with each other to resolve all issues confronting the electronic media industry in the spirit of dialogue and mutual understanding.

Other PBA Executive Body Members included Shakeel Masood, Tahir A. Khan and Arshad Zuberi.

Secretary Information and Broadcasting, Agha Nadeem, Chairman PEMRA Ch. Rashid Ahmad, PIO, Imran Gardezi and DG PEMRA, Muhammad Saleem were also present in the meeting.

Nizami said that it is indeed a positive development that a second consecutive meeting has been held between PEMRA and PBA in a week to resolve issues between the broadcasters and the regulator.Held in a very conducive and cordial atmosphere, a number of pending issues between PEMRA and PBA were discussed at length and both the sides agreed tocoordinate and work for the facilitation and bettermentof private electronic media in the country.

A formal meeting to discuss changes in different sets of rules, regulations of PEMRA would be held next week by a working group comprisingthe PBA representatives, Chairman PEMRA and PIO.

The issues to be deliberated by the working group include the self regulatory Code of Conduct, proliferation of illegal DTH, landing rights to off-shore channels, foreign content, protection of local media industry and advertising airing foreign talent etc. It was also decided that PEMRA would also hold dialogue with other stakeholders i.e. cable operators, PAS and UPA.

Concluding the meeting, PBA extended their gratitude to the Minister for Information & Broadcasting for taking personal interest in solving the media issues. Moreover, PBA assured their full cooperation and support to PEMRA in addressing electronic media issues. They lauded PEMRA's professional approach for resolving issues through mutual engagement which they believed would evolve conducive working environmentbetween the regulator and the stakeholders.