Srinagar, July 21, 2018 (PPI-OT): In occupied Kashmir, Kashmir Inc representatives have said that the ban imposed by the authorities on transmission of more than 30 television channels in the Valley has deprived people of informative and apolitical contents. Representatives of various trade and commerce umbrella bodies told media men that the ban on popular TV channels from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Iran and Middle-East would also have an adverse impact on thousands of people associated with the cable TV business.
The latest ban came into force after an order was issued by the additional district commissioner (ADC), Srinagar, on July 12, 2018, asking the heads of cable operators to stop telecasting and transmitting over 30 satellite channels.
“The gag must be condemned as most of these channels are predominantly religious or news channels with a huge following among viewers of Kashmir,” said Javaid Ahmed Tenga, President of Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He said thousands of people are associated with the cable TV business across the Valley. “The ban will hit this sector badly. Large number of employment is generated in this sector and such prohibitions would adversely impact livelihood of thousands of people,” he added.
The Chairman of Kashmir Economic Alliance, Muhammad Yasin Khan, said that the ban was aimed at demeaning Islam, which is actually a religion of peace. He said the decision has hurt the religious sentiments of the people of Kashmir.
The TV channels to be banned include Peace TV English, Peace TV Urdu, ARY QTV, Madni Channel, Noor TV, Hadi TV, Paigham, Hidayat, Saudi Al-Sunnah Al-Nabawiyah, Saudi-Al-Quran Al-Karim, Sehar, Karbala TV, Ahli-biat TV, Message TV, Hum TV, ARY Digital Asia, Hum Sitaray, ARY Zindagi, TV One, ARY Masala, ARY Zauq, A TV, Geo News, ARY News Asia, Abb Takk News, Waseb TV, 92 News, Duniya News, Samna News, Geo Tez, Express News and ARY News. Apart from religious and news channels, the list includes a sports channel, two culinary channels, and a music channel.
For more information, contact:
Kashmir Media Service
Phone: +92-51-4435548, +92-51-4435549
Fax: +92-51-4861736
Email: info@kmsnews.org
Website: www.kmsnews.org