Honorbale Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan, Federal Minister of Information and Broadcasting Shibli Faraz and Special Assistant to PM for Information LT. Gen. Retd Asim Saleem Bajwa has issued the public appeal on 3rd June, 2020 regarding to save radio industry from death.
Due to the insistence of PEMRA on astronomical fees for License renewal, the radio industry in Pakistan is heading for imminent collapse – with the closure of over a 100 radio stations all over the country and rendering thousands of people jobless.
Since the grant of Licenses to the private sector in 2003, radio had become a thriving industry, providing information and entertainment to millions of Pakistanis in big cities and small towns.
Radio has been struggling to survive in tough economic conditions over the past few years due to drastic cuts in advertising expenditures. With the advent of COVID-19 pandemic, the situation has become worse.
While governments in other countries, including our neighboring countries, are taking steps to help the radio industry in this moment of crisis, PEMRA is demanding renewal fees from broadcasters that is more than ten times the original License fees.
We acknowledge the steps taken by your Government for the stability of the economy and businesses in light of recent events. The radio industry also desperately needs your support to continue providing a much needed service to the nation, especially in these testing times.
YOUR KIND INTERVENTION IS URGENTLY NEEDED TO SAVE RADIO INDUSTRY FROM IMMINENT DEATH
