JournalismPakistan.com | Published June 18, 2014 | Daud Malik
Join our WhatsApp channel
ISLAMABAD: The government has no plans to abolish the TV fee of Rs35 that it charges along with the electricity bill, the National Assembly was told early this month.
However, religious institutions and places of worships - mosques, temples, gurdawaras and synagogues – are exempt from this TV fee.
Though parliamentarians are busy giving final touches to the budget for the coming financial year, media also seems to be one of their concerns. A number of interesting issues about media were brought to the floor of the National Assembly during the question hour – from the matters of TV licenses to illegal direct to home (DTH) systems in Pakistan.
PPP legislator Shahida Rehmani wanted to know if TV license fee is being included in electricity bills of mosques and madaras. She also inquired if the government is considering any proposal to abolish this fee.
The minister quoted Clause 6 Section II of the Modified Agreement between Pakistan Electric Power Company and Pakistan Television Corporation Ltd on 30 April 2012. According to the clause, “The customers who got exemption on the claim being religious institutions and places of worships, such as Mosques, Temples, Gurdawaras and Synagogues etc, will continue exempted. This status of exemption will not be changed.”
Minister for Information Pervez Rashid re-emphasized that any religious institution such as “mosques, temples, gurdawaras madarasas and synagogue which have registered as a religious institution, shall remain exempted from levy of domestic TV fee.”
The minister also told the House that PEMRA is not bound to “allocate 30% time for the education of children and 20% time for the social issues on television channels.” According to him, the licensees are allowed to formulate their programming mix as per their license category. He was answering a question by party colleague Tahira Aurangzeb.
Though the matter of smuggling and illegal sale of direct to home (DTH) equipment within the territory of Pakistan does not fall under purview of PEMRA, the minister said the authority has been “rigorously pursuing the matter with various government departments to containing and curbing this menace.”
He was replying to a question by PTI MNA Junaid Akbar who wanted to about more than two million illegal DTH connections functioning in the country.
The minister added PEMRA has emphasized the need to move decisively against the violators as the proliferation of illegal DTH is weakening the case of launching DTH in Pakistan, resulting in huge revenue loss to the exchequer. “It (PEMRA) expects that the matter would get the priority it deserves and the departments/agencies concerned would realize their responsibilities in this regard.”
June 11, 2025: Pakistan celebrated a narrow win over Bangladesh, but beneath the jubilation lies a deeper crisis—from sidelined veterans to a collapsing domestic structure—signaling an urgent need for cricket reform.
June 11, 2025: Journalists walked out of the post-budget press conference in Islamabad to protest the absence of a technical briefing and the government's dismissive behavior, calling it unacceptable and intolerable.
May 31, 2025: Dr. Nauman Niaz has issued a defamation notice to Shoaib Akhtar over derogatory remarks made during a recent broadcast, reigniting a longstanding media feud between the two prominent figures in Pakistan.
May 30, 2025: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has demanded the full repeal of PECA, citing its vague language, coercive powers, and threats to free speech and digital rights in Pakistan.
May 30, 2025: The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has condemned the murder of journalist Syed Mohammed Shah in Jacobabad, calling for urgent justice and improved safety for media professionals in Sindh.
May 26, 2025: In Rawalpindi, police allegedly side with Jang Group to block 66 reinstated employees from resuming work despite court orders, drawing sharp criticism from unions and press freedom advocates.
May 25, 2025: PFUJ condemns the Jang Group's decision to dismiss over 80 employees in Rawalpindi, calling it an 'economic massacre.' The union warns of nationwide protests if workers are not reinstated.
May 25, 2025: Daily Jang Rawalpindi has terminated over 80 employees, including female staff, despite multiple court rulings in their favor—raising concerns over labor rights violations and misuse of authority in Pakistani media.
May 19, 2025 PJS reports 219 Palestinian journalists killed in Israeli attacks since October 7, with 30 women among the victims. Over 430 were injured and 685 family members were killed. Read more on the systematic targeting of media in Gaza.
May 15, 2025 Discover the legacy of Samiullah Khan, Pakistan’s legendary "Flying Horse," whose breathtaking speed and artistry redefined hockey. From Olympic glory to World Cup triumphs, his story is one of myth, movement, and magic.
May 04, 2025 Algerian authorities suspend Echorouk News TV for 10 days after it used a racist slur against African migrants. ANIRA demands an apology, calling it a violation of human dignity.
May 04, 2025 NCHR and MMfD launch a journalism fellowship to train reporters on digital rights & gender inclusion in Pakistan. Supported by UNESCO, this initiative aims to bridge the gender digital divide. Apply by May 15, 2025!
April 23, 2025 Discover Dr. Nauman Niaz’s In A Different Realm: Story of Quadruple & Triple Centuries 1876–2025, a profound exploration of cricket's most monumental innings, blending historical analysis with poetic narrative.