Four Pak TV channels banned in Kashmir

Srinagar, Apr 24 (UNI) Four Pakistani Television channels went off the air since yesterday following the ban imposed by district authorities.

However, the cable operators and people have criticised the government's move and demanded immediate restoration of all the four channels.

Official sources said district authorities have issued an order, directing the cable operators to stop airing four Pak channels--Geo, ARY, PTV and Aaj with immediate effect.

The order warned that any cable operator found violating the ban orders will be booked under Cable Television Network (regulation) Act 1996.

The authorities said the ban order was issued on the directions from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

This is for the first time the Pakistani channels were banned in Kashmir valley by the government. However, the cable operators faced ban by separatists organisations in the past.

A number of cable operators were also attacked for airing some foreign channels, which they (separatists) feel were viewing immoral programmes.

UNI BAS SP HS1649