ISLAMABAD: Despite the finance minister’s assurances, the majority of cable operators in Pakistan shut down their services indefinitely on Monday to protest government plans to launch Direct-to-Home (DTH) television services in the country.

“We have taken this step after the finance minister refused to delay the [DTH licence] bidding process,” Cable Operators Association President Sohail Iqbal said in a statement.

Iqbal added that the association did everything to push the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) to delay the bidding, which is scheduled to take place on Wednesday.

“We knew one day we would have to close down our businesses therefore it is better to do it from today [Monday],” he said. “We have decided to go on strike and shut down our business before PEMRA does by issuing DTH licences on November 23.”

A PEMRA spokesperson said Finance Minister Ishaq Dar in meetings with the cable operators on November 19 and 20 assured them DTH services would not be launched until November 1, 2017. However, Dar did not agree over delaying the bidding process.

Meanwhile, PEMRA Chairman Absar Alam said the authority is focusing on introduction of modern technology in Pakistani Media.

Talking to media after meeting with Director Asia Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development, Chang Jin today, he said the use of Digital Technology in media is need of the hour.

“Digital technology will be the game changer for media and PEMRA will promote use of this technology in Pakistani Media with the assistance of China and AIBD,” he said.

Speaking on the occasion, Director AIBD Chang Jin said that AIBD has mandate to achieve a vibrant electronic media environment in the Asia-Pacific region through policy and resource development.