In a statement issued on Saturday, Pakistan Broadcast Association (PBA) has condemned PEMRA’s attempts to destroy the radio broadcasting industry in the country with highhanded tactics.
“PEMRA in a move to fill its coffers with irrational levies has started collecting from private radio broadcasters, licence renewal fees which is higher several multiple times what they originally paid,” the PBA said.
The PBA maintained, “This is also at a time when the radio industry specifically and the media industry on the whole is going through the worst economic crisis in its history. Instead of working with the media to find ways to support the media industry in these difficult times the PEMRA seems to be working on a ruthless agenda aimed at destroying the elements of independent entertainment and information.”
The PBA while condemning PEMRA’s irrational approach which is also against the basic principle of its formation, has urged the Honourable Prime Minister Imran Khan, the Minister for Information & Broadcasting Shibli Faraz and the SAPM for Information & Broadcasting Lt-Gen (retd) Asim Saleem Bajwa to please intervene and save the radio industry from destruction at the hands of the PEMRA.
The PBA said in case the PEMRA did not stop this action it will result in the closure of hundreds of radio stations and thousands of workers associated with this industry will lose their jobs.