*PEMRA Complaints Council Reviews Media Compliance*

Islamabad (Special Correspondent), Aug. 1: The Islamabad Council of Complaints of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) held its 121st meeting at the Authority’s headquarters, reviewing the status of pending complaints, implementation of previous recommendations, and compliance with regulations governing the distribution of foreign television channels.

The meeting, held on July 31, was the first after the Federal Government reconstituted the Council on July 20, 2026. It was chaired by Syed Muhammad Ali and attended by members Fauzia Shahid, Gauhar Zahid Malik, Dr. Surayya Kanwal Afridi and Kaiwan Hamid Raja.

During the meeting, the Council Secretary presented a detailed briefing on the disposal of complaints and the Council’s performance over the past two years. The Council was informed that 637 complaints relating to broadcast content and wage and salary issues had been decided in 38 meetings, marking the highest disposal rate among all PEMRA Councils of Complaints since the regulator’s establishment.

The Council also reviewed the implementation of its previous recommendations and sought details regarding Landing Rights Permission holders and the distribution of foreign television channels across cable and other distribution networks in Pakistan.

In its recommendations to the Authority, the Council emphasized that, in the interest of effective media regulation, fair competition and protection of the public interest, all distributors should be directed to ensure immediate, complete and transparent compliance with Section 19 and Section 19(2) of the PEMRA Ordinance (Amended), 2007. The provisions require that only duly licensed foreign television channels be carried on distribution networks operating in Pakistan.

The Council also adjudicated nine agenda items related to electronic media content during the meeting.