Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority Ordinance (PEMRA), 2002

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THE PAKISTAN ELECTRONIC MEDIA REGULATORY 
AUTHORITY ORDINANCE, 2002 
 
 
 
 
CONTENTS 
 
1. Short title, extent and commencement 
 
2. Definitions 
 
3. Establishment of the Authority 
 
4. Functions of the Authority 
 
5. Power of the Federal Government to issue directives 
 
6. Members of Authority 
 
7. Tenure of members 
 
8. Meetings of the Authority, etc. 
 
9. Remuneration, of Chairman and members 
 
10. Chairman and members not to engage themselves in certain business, etc. 
 
11. Officers, employees, etc. 
 
12. Officers, etc. deemed to be public servants 
 
13. Delegation 
 
14. Fund 
 
15. Budget 
 
16. Accounts and Audit 
 
17. Annual report 
 

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18. Categories of licences 
 
19. Licence to broadcast or operate 
 
20. Terms and conditions of licence 
20A.   Obligation of licensee to pay electronic media employees ’ dues timely 
20B.   Government advertisements 
 
21. Consultation with the Provinces 
 
22. Duration for consideration of the application for a licence 
 
23. Exclusion of monopolies 
 
24. Licence, application, issuance, refusal and validity 
 
25. Certain persons not be granted licence 
 
26. Councils of Complaints 
 
27. Prohibition of broadcast media or distribution service operation 
 
28. Suspension of broadcast media or distribution service operation 
 
29. Power to authorize inspection 
 
29A.   Imposition of fine 
29B.   Dues to be recovered as arrears of land revenue 
 
30. Power to vary conditions, suspend or revoke the licence 
 
30A.   Appeals 
30B.   Jurisdiction of courts barred 
 
31. Uplinking Facilities 
 
32. Power to grant exemptions 
 
33. Offences and penalties 
 
33A.   Officers of Federal, Provincial and Local Governments to assist Authority 
 
33B.   Warrants for search 
 
34. Cases to be initiated on complaint 
 
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34A.   Offences to be compoundable and cognizable 
 
35. Cognizance of offences etc. 
 
36. Offences by companies 
 
37. Ordinance overrides other laws 
 
38. Indemnity 
 
39. Power to make rules 
39A.   Power to make regulations 
 
40. Removal of difficulties 
 
 
 
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THE PAKISTAN ELECTRONIC MEDIA REGULATORY AUTHORITY 
ORDINANCE, 2002. 
 
ORDINANCE NO. XIII OF 2002 
 
[1st March, 2002] 
 
AN  
ORDINANCE  
to regulate 1[electronic] media in Pakistan 
WHEREAS it is expedient to provide for the development of 1[electronic] media in order to⸺ 
 
(i) improve the standards of information, education and entertainment; 
 
2[(ii)  enlarge  the choice available  to the people of Pakistan  in the media for authentic 
news, current affairs, religious knowledge, tolerance, art,culture, science, technology, 
economic and energy development, social sector concerns, music, sports, drama, 
children content and other subjects of public and national interest;] 
 
(iii)  facilitate the devolution of responsibility and power to the grass-roots by improving 
the access of the people to mass media at the local and community level; 2[*] 
 
(iv)  ensure accountability, transparency and good governance by optimizing the free flow 
of information; 
2[(v)  ensure timely payment of salary to the electronic media employees working with the 
licensee of the Authority;  and] 
2[(vi)  ensure fair, transparent, and independent rating to broadcasters for their TV 
channels.] 
 
AND WHEREAS, the President is satisfied that circumstances exist which render it necessary 
to take immediate action; 
 
NOW, THEREFORE, in pursuance of Proclamation of Emergency of the fourteenth day of 
October, 1999 and the Provisional Constitution Order No.1 of 1999  read with the Provisional 
Constitution (Amendment) Order No. 9 of 1999, and in exercise of all powers enabling him in 
that behalf, the President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is pleased to make and promulgate 
the following Ordinance:⸺ 
 
PRELIMINARY  
 
1.  Short title, extent and commencement.— (1) This Ordinance shall be called the 
Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority Ordinance, 2002. 
 
(2) It extends to the whole of 3[Islamic Republic of] Pakistan. 
(3) It shall come into force at once. 
 
1Subs. by the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Amdt.) Act, 2007 ( Act II of 2007), s.2, for “broadcast”. 
2Subs. omitted and added by Act LXI of 2023, s.2. 
3Ins. by the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Amdt.) Act, 2007 ( Act II of 2007), s. 3.  
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2.  Definitions.⸺ In this Ordinance, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or 
context,⸺  
 
(a)     “advertisement” means a set of visual and audio messages for the projection of a 
product, service, or idea with the object of propagating sale, purchase or hire 
of the product, service or idea for creating other related effects; 
(b)     “Authority” means the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA)  
established under section 3; 
 
1[(c)  “broadcast media” means such media which originate and propagate broadcast and 
pre­ recorded  signals by terrestrial  means or through satellite for radio or 
television and includes  teleporting,  provision of  access  to  broadcast  signals 
by  channel  providers and such other forms of broadcast media as the Authority 
may, with the approval of the Federal Government, by notification in the official 
Gazette, specify;] 
 
1[(ca)  “broadcast station” means physical, technical and software infrastructure for the 
operation of radio or television and also includes satellite uplinking from ground, 
repeaters and all such other accessories;] 
 
(d)    “broadcaster” means a person engaged in broadcast media 1[except broadcast 
journalists not a ctively involved in the operation, ownership, management  or 
control of the broadcast media]; 
 
1[(da)  “Cable TV” means reception of  broadcast and  prerecorded signals from 
different channels and  their distribution to subscribers  through a set of  closed 
transmission paths;] 
 
(e)       “Chairman” means the Chairman of the Authority; 
 
1[(ea)  “Chairperson” means the head of a Council of Complaint;] 
 
(f)       “channel” means the set of  frequencies that a broadcast station occupies for  
broadcasting; 
 
1[(fa)    “channel provider” means a vendor who represents  local or foreign channels 
and provides access of their signal to a distribution service;] 
 
(g)        “company” a company as defined in the Companies 2[Act, 2017 (XIX of 2017)]; 
 
(h)    “copyright” means copyright as defined in the Copyright Ordinance, 1962 
(XXXIV of 1962);  
2[(ha) “disinformation” means ve rifiably false, misleading, manipulated, created or 
fabricated information which is disseminated or shared with the intention to cause 
harm to the reputation of or to harass any person for political, personal, or financial 
interest or gains without making an effort to get other person's point of view or not 
 
1Subs. and Ins. by the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Amdt.) Act, 2007 ( Act II of 2007), s. 4. 
2Subs. and Ins. by Act LXI of 2023, s.3. 
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 giving it proper coverage and space but does not include misinformation;] 
1[2[(haa)]“distribution service” means a service which receives broadcast and  
pre­recorded signals from different channels and distributes them to subscribers 
through cable, wireless or satellite options and includes Cable TV, LMDS, MMDS, 
DTH and such other similar technologies; 
 
(hb)    “DTH” means Direct to Home distribution of audiovisual signals received via 
satellite to small dish antennas across the foot­print of the satellite to subscribers; 
 
(hc)     “electronic media” includes the broadcast media and distribution services;] 
2[(hd) “electronic media employee” shall mean and include a person working as an 
employee with the licensee of the Authority;] 
 
(i)    “foreign company” means a company or body corporate organized, and  
registered under the laws of a foreign government; 
 
(j)        “frequency” means the frequency of the electromagnetic wave number measured 
in Hertz per second and used for transmission; 
 
(k)       “FAB” means the Frequency Allocation Board established under section 42 of the 
Pakistan Telecommunication (Reorganization) Act, 1996 (XVII of 1996); 
 
1[(ka)  “illegal operation” means the broadcast or transmission or distribution of, or 
provision of access to, programmes or advertisements in the form of channels 
without having a valid licence from the Authority; 
 
(kb)    “LMDS” means local multipoint distribution service  to transmit audio­visual 
signals through wireless devices, on a higher frequency range for the provision of 
cable television service;] 
 
(l)        “media  enterprise”  means an  enterprise  concerned  with the  publication of a  
printed newspaper or 3[a broadcast media or distribution service]; 
2[(la) “misinformation” means verifiable false content or information that is 
unintentionally disseminated or shared;] 
 
1[2[(laa)] “MMDS” means multi­channel  multi­point distribution service  to  transmit 
audio­visual signals through wireless devices,  to  multiple subscribers, after  
receiving such signals from other channels of communication;] 
1[(m)   “licence” means a licence issued by the Authority to establish and operate a 
broadcast media or distribution service;] 
(n)       “licensee” means a person to whom the Authority has issued a licence; 
 
1[(na)  “newspaper” means a newspaper as defined by the Press, Newspapers, News 
Agencies and Books Registration Ordinance, 2002(XCVIII of 2002);] 
 
1Ins., and subs. by the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Amdt.) Act, 2007 ( Act II of 2007), s. 4. 
2Re-numbered and Ins. by Act LXI of 2023, s.3. 
3Subs. by the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Amdt.) Act, 2007 ( Act II of 2007), s. 4, for “Journal, a radio or television broadcast 
station or cinema theatre”.  
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(o)  “member” means a member of the Authority; 
 
(p)  “national broadcaster” means the Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation, the 
Pakistan Television Corporation and the Shalimar Recording and Broadcasting 
Company; 
 
(q)  “PTA” means the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority established under 
the Pakistan Telecommunication (Reorganisation) Act, 1996 (XVII of 1996); 
 
(r)  “person” includes an individual, partnership, association, company, trust or 1[. 
corporation or public body] ; 
 
(s)  “prescribed” means prescribed by the rules 2[or regulations] made by the 
Authority; 
 
(t)  “programme” means the systematic broadcasting of visual or sound images 
by a broadcast station but does not include an advertisement; 2[*] 
 
2[(ta)  “regulations” means the regulations made under this Ordinance;] 
 
(u)  “rules” means the rules made under this Ordinance 2[;] 
1[(ua) “severe violation” means a violation of this Ordinance or violation of Article 
19 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan;] 
 
2[(v)  “teleport” means a facility with installed equipment used or required in the 
process of uplinking or downlinking of audio­visual programmes and signals 
between an earth station and a satellite; 1[*] 
1[(va) “timely payment of dues” means the payment of dues when made to the 
electronic media employee within two months; and] 
 
(w)  “uplinking” Means transmission of audio­video signal from ground transmission 
facility to a satellite in order  to transmit any  programme within or  outside 
Pakistan.] 
 
3. Establishment of the Authority.⸺ (1) As soon as may be, after the commencement of 
this Ordinance, the Federal Government shall, by notification in the official Gazette, establish an 
authority to be known as the  Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) for 
carrying out the purposes of this Ordinance. 
 
(2) The Authority shall be a body corporate having perpetual succession and a common 
seal with powers subject to the provision of this Ordinance to hold and dispose of property by 
the said name, sue and be sued. 
 
(3) The principal office of the Authority shall be at Islamabad and it may set up offices 
at such place or places in the country as it may deem appropriate. 
 
 
1Subs., Ins. and Omitted by Act LXI of 2023, s.3. 
2Ins., omitted and subs. by the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Amdt.) Act, 2007 ( Act II of 2007), s. 4. 
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(4) No act or proceeding of the Authority shall be invalid by reason only of the existence of 
a vacancy in, or defect in the constitution of, the Authority. 
 
 1[4. Functions of the Authority.⸺ (1)  The Authority shall be responsible for regulating 
the establishment and operation of all broadcast media and distribution services in Pakistan 
established  for  the  purpose  of  international,  national,  provincial,  district,  local  or special 
target audiences. 
 
(2) The Authority shall regulate the distribution of foreign and local TV and radio channels 
in Pakistan. 
 
(3) The Authority may, by notification in the official Gazette, make regulations and 
also issue determinations for carrying out the purposes of this Ordinance.] 
2[(4) The Authority by registering rating companies shall ensure that a fair, transparent, 
and independent forums shall issue rating to the licensees.] 
 
5. Power of the Federal Government to issue directives.__ The Federal Government may, 
as and when it considers necessary, issue directives to the Authority on matters of policy, and 
such directives shall be binding on the Authority, and if a question arises whether any matter is 
a matter of policy or not, the decision of the Federal Government shall be final. 
 
6. Members of Authority.⸺ (1)  The Authority shall consist of a Chairman and 1[twelve] 
members to be appointed by the President of Pakistan. 
 
(2) The Chairman of the Authority shall be an eminent professional of known integrity and 
competence   having   substantial   experience   in   media, business, management, finance, economics 
or law. 
2[(2A) The division to which business of this Ordinance stands allocated shall recommend 
a panel of five candidates fulfilling the conditions of sub-section (2) and send it to a parliamentary 
committee consisting of four members two from the National Assembly and two from the Senate 
to be nominated by the Speaker of the National Assembly and the Chairman of the Senate 
respectively out  of  which one shall be from the treasury benches and one from the opposition 
in each House and the parliamentary committee shall consider the panel and recommend one 
candidate for appointment by the  President under sub-section (1) and where the parliamentary 
committee fails to recommend within thirty days of receipt of the panel any person, the division 
concerned shall forward the panel to the Prime Minister who shall recommend to the President 
the candidate eminently suited to be appointed as Chairman by the President: 
Provided that at any time when the National Assembly stands dissolve, all members of 
the parliamentary committee shall be from the Senate nominated by the Chairman Senate.] 
(3) Out of 1[twelve] members one shall be appointed by the 3[Prime Minister] on full time 
basis and five shall be eminent citizens chosen to ensure representation of all provinces with 
expertise in one or more of the following fields: media, law, human rights, and social service. Of 
the five members from the general public, two members shall be women. 
1Subs. by the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Amdt.) Act, 2007 ( Act II of 2007), ss. 5-6. 
2Added and Ins. by Act LXI of 2023, ss.3A-4. 
3Sub. by Act No. XXIV of 2026, s.2. 
 
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 (4) Secretary, Ministry of Information and 1[Broadcasting, Secretary, Interior Division, 
Chairman, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority and Chairman, Central Board of Revenue] shall 
be the ex-officio members. 
2[(4A). The remaining two members shall, 3[Prime Minister] be appointed on need basis 
on recommendation of the Chairman and they shall be non-voting honorary members, one from 
broadcasters and one from Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ).] 
 
(5) The members, 1[* * * * * * *] shall receive such fee and expenses for each meeting as 
may be prescribed. 
 
1[(6) A member, other than an ex officio member, shall be deemed to have vacated his office 
if he absents himself for three consecutive meetings of the Authority without the leave of the 
Authority.] 
 
7. Tenure of members.⸺ (1)  The Chairman and members, other than ex-officio members, 
unless earlier removed for misconduct or physical or mental incapacity, shall hold office for a 
period of four years and shall be eligible for re-appointment for a similar term or as the 
3[Prime Minister] may determine: 
Provided that the Chairman and a member shall retire on attaining the age of sixty-five years. 
  
Explanation.⸺ For the purposes of this section the expression “misconduct” means 
conviction for any offence involving moral turpitude and includes conduct prejudicial to good 
order or unbecoming of a gentleman. 
 
(2) The Chairman or a member may, by writing under his hand, resign his office. 
 
8. Meetings of the Authority, etc.— (1) The Chairman or, in his absence, the 
member elected by the members for the purpose, shall preside at a meeting of the Authority. 
 
(2) One­third of the total members shall constitute a quorum for meetings of the 
Authority requiring a decision by the Authority. 
(3) The members shall have reasonable notice of the time and place of the meeting and 
the matters on which a decision by the Authority shall be taken in such meeting. 
2[(3A) Meetings of the Authority may also take place through modern devices including but 
not limited to video link.] 
 
(4) The decisions of the Authority shall be taken by the majority of its members present, and 
in case of a tie, the member presiding a meeting shall have a casting vote. 
 
(5) All orders, determinations and decisions of the Authority shall be taken in writing 2[* * 
*]. 
 
   
1Subs., omitted and added by the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Amdt.) Act, 2007 (Act II of 2007), s. 6. 
2Subs., Ins. and omitted by Act LXI of 2023, s.4 
3Subs. by Act No. XXIV of 2026, ss. 2-3. 
 
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9. Remuneration, of Chairman and members.__ (1)The Chairman and members shall be 
paid such emoluments as the President of Pakistan may determine and shall not be varied to their 
disadvantage during their term of office. 
 
10. Chairman and members not to engage themselves in certain business, etc.— (1) The 
Chairman shall not, during his term of office, engage himself in any other service, business, vocation  
or  employment,  or  enter  into  the  employment  of,  or  accept  any  advisory  or consultancy 
relationship with any person or entity engaged in applying for a licence from the Authority or 
operating a broadcast station established within the purview of the Authority or in providing 
services or products to the Authority on any of the projects, schemes, proposals or plans undertaken, 
executed or supervised by the Authority or any related undertaking of such aforesaid person or 
entity. 
 
(2)  The members shall not have any direct or indirect financial interest, or have any connection 
with any such person, entity or related undertaking as mentioned in sub-section (1) of this section 
associated in any way with the licensee of a broadcast station for so long as they are members and 
hold office. 
 
11. Officers, employees, etc.__ To carry out the purposes of this Ordinance, the Authority may, 
from time to time, appoint members of its staff, experts, consultants, advisers and other officers and 
employees on such terms and conditions as 1[may be prescribed by regulations]. 
 
12. Officers, etc. deemed to be public servants.__ The Chairman, members, members of 
its staff, other officers and employees of the Authority shall be deemed to be public servants 
within the meaning of section 21 of the Pakistan Penal Code (Act XLV of 1860). 
 
1[13. Delegation.__ The Authority may delegate to the Chairman or a member or officer of the 
Authority, any of its powers, responsibilities or functions under this Ordinance as it may by regulations 
prescribe: 
 
Provided that the delegation of such power shall not include the power to grant, revoke or 
cancel a broadcast media or distribution service licence except cable TV: 
Provided further that to the extent of suspension of broadcast media licence, the Authority may 
delegate its power to Chairman and two members of the Authority.]  
 
14. Fund.⸺ (1) There shall be established a fund to be known as “PEMRA Fund” which 
shall vest in the Authority and shall be utilized by the Authority to meet charges in connection with 
its functions including payment of  salaries and oth er r emunerations to the  Chairman, members, 
2[employees], experts and consultants of the Authority. 
 
(2) The Fund shall consist of.⸺ 
 
(i)  seed money by the Federal Government; 
 
 
 
1Subs. by Act LXI of 2023, ss.6-7      
 2Subs. by the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Amdt .) Act, 2007 ( Act II of 2007), s.8, for servants. 
 
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(ii)  fees for issuance 1 [and renewal] of licences for establishing and operating 
broadcast or CTV stations; 
(iii)  loans obtained with the special or general sanction of the Federal Government; 
 
(iv)   foreign aid obtained with sanction of and on such terms and conditions as may 
be approved by the Federal Government; and 
 
(v)  all other sums received by the Authority from any other source. 
 
(3) The Authority may open and operate one or more accounts in local, or foreign currency, 
in any scheduled bank. 
 
1[(4) The Authority may invest its funds in such investments as it may, from time to time, 
determine.] 
 
15. Budget.__ The Authority shall, in respect of each financial year, prepare its own budget 
and submit it to the Federal Government three months before the commencement of every financial 
year for information. 
 
16. Accounts and Audit.⸺ (1) The Authority shall maintain complete and accurate books 
of accounts of its actual expenses and receipts in such form as the Federal Government may, in 
consultation with the Auditor General of Pakistan, determine. 
 
(2) The Authority shall cause to be carried out audit of its accounts by one or more auditors 
who are chartered accountants within the meaning of the Chartered Accountants Ordinance, 1961 
(X of 1961). 
 
(3) Notwithstanding the audit provided in sub-section (2) the Auditor-General shall have the 
power to audit or cause to be audited the accounts of the Authority. 
 
17.  Annual report.__  The Authority sh all compile and sub mit an annual report on  its 
operations and accounts for each financial year to the President of Pakistan and shall also 
arrange for its publication and circulation to the media and the public. 
 
2[18. Categories of licences.⸺ (1) The Authority shall issue licences for broadcast media 
and distribution service in the following categories, namely:⸺ 
 
i.  international and national scale stations; 
 
ii.  provincial scale broadcast; 
 
iii.  local area community based radio and TV broadcast; 
 
iv.  specific and specialized subjects; 
 
v.  distribution services; and 
 
1Ins. and Added by the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Amdt.) Act, 2007 ( Act II of 2007), s. 8. 
2Subs. ibid., s.9, for “section 18” .    
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vi.  uplinking facilities including teleporting and DSNG. 
(2) The Authority may further sub-categorize the categories specified in sub-section (1) as 
it may deem fit.] 
19. Licence to broadcast or operate.⸺ 1[(1) The Authority shall have exclusive right to 
issue licences for the establishment and operation of all broadcast media and distribution services, 
provided that this exclusive right shall be used by the Authority in conformity with the principles 
of fairness and equity applied to all potential applicants for licences whose eligibility shall be based 
on prescribed criteria notified in advance and that this shall be done through an open, transparent 
bidding process: 
 
Provided that the bidding shall be held if the number of applications exceeds the number of 
licences to be issued by the Authority.] 
 
(2) No person shall engage in 1 [any broadcast media or distribution service] except after 
obtaining a licence issued under this Ordinance. 
 
(3) Every licence shall be subject to such terms and conditions as may be prescribed. 
 
1[(4) The Authority shall have the power to determine number of licences to be issued in 
each category or sub-category and charge fees at such rates as the Authority may fix from time to 
time for the grant of a licence and for its annual renewal.] 
 
1[(5) The Authority shall devise a Code of Conduct for programmes and advertisements for 
compliance by the licensees.] 
 
20.  Terms and conditions of licence.__ A 1[person] who is issued a licence under this 
Ordinance shall⸺ 
 
(a)  1[ensure preservation of] the sovereignty, security and integrity of the Islamic 
Republic of Pakistan; 
 
(b)   1[ensure preservation of] the national, cultural, social and religious values and 
the principles of publ ic policy as enshrined in the Constitution of the Is lamic 
Republic of Pakistan; 
 
1[(c)  ensure that all programmes and advertisements do not contain or encourage 
violence, terrorism, racial, ethnic or r eligious di scrimination, sectarianism, 
extremism, militancy, hatred, pornography, obscenity, vulgarity or other 
material offensive to commonly accepted standards of decency;] 
 
(d)  comply with rules made under this Ordinance; 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1Subs. and added by the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Amdt.) Act, 2007 (Act II of 2007), ss. 10-11. 
  
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(e)   broadcast 1[, if permissible under the terms of its licence,]  programmes in the 
public interest specified by the 2[Secretary of the Division to which the business 
of this Ordinance stands allocated or the Authority in the manner I ndicated by 
the Secretary] or, as the case may be, the Authority, provided that the duration 
of such mandatory programmes do not exceed ten percent of the total duration 
of broadcast or operation by a station in twenty-four hours except if, by its 
own volition, a station chooses to broadcast 1[* *] such content for a longer 
duration; 3[and such content will be in addition to preamble, and the licensee 
will also submit an annual compliance report to this effect or as and when 
required by the Authority ;] 
 
(f)  comply with the codes of programmes and advertisements approved by the 
Authority 1[and appoint an in-house monitoring committee, under intimation 
to the Authority, to ensure compliance of the Code]; 
 
(g)  not broadcast or distribute any programme or advertisement in violation of 
copyright or other property right; 
 
1[(h) obtain NOC from Authority before import of any transmitting apparatus for 
broadcasting, distribution or teleporting operation;] 
 
(i)  not sell, transfer or assign any of the rights conferred by the licence without 
prior written permission of the Authority 3[;] 
3[(j) not air disinformation; 
(k) ensure that during a regular programme a continuous break for advertising shall 
not exceed five minutes and duration between two such successive breaks shall 
not be less than ten minutes; and 
(l) ensure that the content of the channel available on electronic media, including 
logo and name, etc. shall not vary, alter, substitute, tempered on digital media 
or any other similar forum.] 
3[20A. Obligation of licensee to pay electronic media employees’ dues ti mely.— The 
licensee of the Authority shall ensure timely  payment of dues not later than two months to the 
electronic media employees working with it. 
20B. Government advertisements .— A licensee of the Authority shall comply with all 
decisions and orders o f the Authority  and  the  Council of Complaints for payment of outstanding 
dues to its employees. In case of non-compliance by the licensee, the Authority or, as the case may be, 
the Council of Complaints shall write to the division or department of the F ederal Government or, as 
the case may be, the  Provincial Government to which stands allocated the business in this behalf to 
stop release of TV or radio commercials to the licensee till the payment of pending dues to its 
employees.] 
 
 
 
1Subs., omitted and Added by the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Amdt.) Act, 2007 (Act II of 2007), s.11. 
2 Subs. by Act No. XXIV of 2026, s.4. 
3Added, subs. and ins. by Act LXI of 2023, ss.8-9. 
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1[21. Consultation with the Provinces.⸺ (1)  The Authority shall, except where applications 
for the issuance of a licence relates to Islamabad Capital Territory, invite the comments of the Government 
of the Province concerned, with regard to the proposed location of the Radio, TV or MMDS station 
for which the application has been made, and if the concerned Provincial Government has any reservation 
to the issuance of the licence, the Authority shall invite the representative  of  the  Provincial  Government  
and  consider  its  viewpoint  before  taking  a decision on the issuance of a licence: 
Provided that where the Provincial Government objects to the issuance of a particular licence, 
the applicant shall be provided an opportunity to be present at the meeting of the Authority and given 
an opportunity of being heard with regard to the observations made by the Provincial Government. 
(2) Where the signal of a radio, TV or MMDS station has the potential to cover an area 
outside the limits of the Province in which the unit is proposed to be located, the Authority shall invite 
one or more representatives from the concerned Provincial Governments to express their viewpoint, if 
any, on the inter-Provincial dimensions of the signal.] 
 
22. Duration for consideration of the application for a licence.__ The Authority shall take 
decision on the application for a licence within one hundred days from the receipt of the 
application. 
23. Exclusion of monopolies.⸺ (1) No person shall be entitled to the benefit of any 
monopoly or exclusivity in the matter of broadcasting or the establishment and operation of 
broadcast 2[media or distribution service] or in the supply to, or purchase from, a national 
broadcaster of air time, programmes or advertising material and all existing agreements and 
contracts to the extent of conferring  a monopoly  or containing  an exclusivity  clause are, to 
the extent of exclusivity, hereby declared to be inoperative and of no legal effect. 
 
3[(2) In gr anting a li cence, t he Authority sh all ensure th at o pen and fair competition is 
facilitated in the operation of more than one media enterprise in any given unit of area or 
subject and that undue concentration of media ownership is not created in any city, town or area 
and the country as a whole: 
 
Provided that if a licensee owns, controls or operates more than one media enterprise, he 
shall not indulge in any practice which may impede fare competition and provision of level 
playing field.] 
 
24.  Licence, application, issuance, refusal and validity.⸺ 4[(1) Any person desirous of 
obtaining a licence for establishment and operation of broadcast media or a distribution service 
shall apply to the Authority in such manner and form as may be prescribed.] 
 
(2) The Authority shall process each application in accordance with prescribed criteria 
and shall hold public hearings in the respective provincial capitals of each Province, or as the case 
may be, Islamabad, before granting or refusing the licence. 
 
(3) Each application shall be accompanied by such fee as the Authority may prescribe. 
 
1Subs. by the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Amdt.) Act, 2007 ( Act II of 2007), s.12, “for section 21”. 
2Subs. ibid., s.13, for “or CTV stations”.  
3Subs. ibid., for “sub-section (2). 
4Subs. ibid., s.14, for “sub-section (1)”.  
Page 15 of 21 
 
 
1[(4) A licence of broadcast media shall be valid for a period of twenty years and distribution 
service licence shall be valid for a period not exceeding ten years from the issuance date subject to 
payment of annual fee, including late payment fee if any as may be prescr ibed from time to time but 
shall not include annual gross advertisement revenue in any form whatsoever.] 
1[(4A) Licence renewal fee shall be fifty percent of applicable fee of last bid price of the same 
category but shall not include annual gross advertisement revenue in any form whatsoever.] 
 
(5) The Authority may renew a licence on such terms and conditions as may be prescribed, 
and in case of refusal to renew a licence reasons shall be recorded in writing. 
 
25. Certain persons not be granted licence.__ A licence shall not be granted to— 
 
(a)  a person who is not a citizen of Pakistan or resident in Pakistan; 
 
(b)  a foreign company organized under the laws of any foreign government; 2[*] 
 
(c)  a company the majority of whose shares are owned or controlled by foreign 
nationals or companies whose management or control is vested in foreign 
nationals or companies 2 [; or] 
 
2[(d)  any person funded or sponsored by a foreign government or organization.] 
1[26.  Councils of Complaints.⸺ (1) The 3[Prime Minister] shall, by notification in the official 
Gazette, establish Councils of Complaints for general public, bodies, etc. and for grievance of the 
electronic media employees regarding their wages, salaries, dues, etc. at Islamabad, the Provincial 
capitals and also at such other places as the 3[Prime Minister] may determine. 
(2) Each Council shall receive and review complaints  made  by  persons  or organizations from 
general public against any aspects of programmes broadcast or distributed by a station established  
through a licence issued by the Authority and render opinions on such complaints. 
(3) Each Council shall receive and review complaints made by the electronic media employees 
to the extent of the following matters only, namely:— 
(a) payment of minimum wages policy; and (b) timely payment of their salaries, 
and the Council shall render opinions and recommendations on such complaints 
to the Authority for appropriate decision or order. 
(4) Each Council shall consist of a Chairperson and five members being citizens of eminence, 
having relevant experience and qualification as may be prescribed, from general public at least two of 
whom shall be women. 
 
 
1Subs. and Ins. by Act LXI of 2023, s s.10-11. 
2Omitted, subs. and added by Act No.  II of 2007, s.15. 
3Subs. by Act No. XXIV 2026, s.5. 
 
 
Page 16 of 21 
 
 
(5) The Chairperson or members, unless earlier removed for misconduct or physical or mental 
incapacity, shall hold office for a term of two years and shall be eligible for re -appointment for a 
similar term as the 1[Prime Minister] may determine: 
Provided that the Chairperson or a member may, by writing under his hand addressed to the 
Chairman, resign from his office: 
 Provided further that the Chairperson and members shall hold honorary positions. 
Explanation.— For the purposes of this section, the expression “misconduct” means 
conviction for any offence involving moral turpitude and includes conduct prejudicial to good order, 
political influence or involvement, or unbecoming of a gentleman, or absence from thre e or more 
successive meetings of the Council. 
(6) For the purpose of exercising jurisdiction under sub -section (3) for grievances of the 
electronic media employees, in each Council, two non -voting honorary members shall be appointed 
by the division to whic h business of this Ordinance stands allocated, one from broadcasters and one 
from electronic media employees, who shall serve to that extent only. 
(7) The Councils shall have the powers to summon the complainant, aggrieved person and the 
licensee against w hom a complaint has been made and call for his or its explanation regarding any 
matter relating to its operation. 
(8) The functions and operation of the Councils shall be such as may be prescribed. 
(9) The Councils may recommend to the Authority for imposition of a fine of not less than two 
hundred thousand rupees and not more than one million rupees against any individual person. The 
Councils may also recommend to the Authority appropriate action of censure, fine up to two million 
rupees in respect of a li censee. In case a licensee repeats violation, the Council may recommend the 
suspension of the licence or prohibition on broadcasting or rebroadcasting or distributing any 
programme or advertisement against a broadcast media, broadcast station or distributi on service 
operator or person for violation of the provisions of this Ordinance, rules and regulations made 
thereunder or any terms and conditions of licence and code of conduct for programme content and 
advertisements as may be prescribed. 
(10) The Author ity or the Chairman may refer any matter to the Council for appropriate 
recommendations. 
(11) The Council shall verify the content of disinformation on the basis of d ocumentary 
evidence and make appropriate recommendations to the Authority within a period of thirty days: 
Provided that not more than two adjournments shall be entertained by the Council upon an 
advance application by the licensee or the complainant or any aggrieved p erson. In case of non -
appearance by either party or non-filing of application for adjournment, the Council shall proceed with 
the matter on the basis of available material and record. 
(12) Each Council shall compile and submit the annual report of licensee r egarding the 
compliance of Code of Conduct to the Authority.] 
 
1Subs. by Act No. XXIV of 2026, s.5. 
Page 17 of 21 
 
 
1[27. Prohibition of broadcast media or distribution service operation.__  The Authority shall by 
order in writ ing, giving reasons therefore, prohibit any broadcast media or distribution service operator 2[or 
person] from⸺ 
 
(a)  broadcasting or re-broadcasting or distributing any programme or advertisement 2[or 
expression by any person] if it is of the  opinion  that  such  particular  programme  or  
advertisement 2[or expression by any person] is  against  the  ideology  of Pakistan or 
is likely to create hatred among the people or is prejudicial to the maintenance of 
law  and  order  or  is  likely  to  disturb  public  peace  and  tranquility  or  endangers  
national security  or  is pronographic,  obscene  or vulgar  or is offensive  to the 
commonly  accepted standards of decency; or 
 
(b)  engaging in any practice or act which amounts to abuse of media power by way 
of harming the legitimate interests of another licensee or willfully causing damage to 
any other person 2[:]] 
2[Provided that the Authority after prohibiting the programme or 
advertisement or expression by any person under clause (a) may refer the matter to 
the Council of Complaints for appropriate recommendations. The Council, after 
hearing the concerned licensee or person, as the case may be, may recommend within 
thirty days to the Authority to take appropriate action as empowered under this 
Ordinance.] 
 
28. Suspension of 3[broadcast media or distribution service] operation.__ A 4[broadcast media or 
distribution service] operator shall not cease or suspend broadcasting except on account of force majeure 
or with the prior Approval of the Authority. 
29. Power  to  authorize  inspection.__  (1)  The  Authority  may  authorize  any  of  its  officers  or  its 
nominees  to  enter   the  premises  of   a  5[broadcast  media  or  distribution  service]  operator  for  purposes 
of inspection 6[* * * *]. 
 
(2) A broadcast 7[media station or distribution service premises] shall, at all reasonable times, be open 
to inspection by an authorized officer under sub-section (1) and the licensee shall provide such officer with 
every assistance and facility in performing his duties. 
(3)  The authorized officer shall, within forty-eight hours of the inspection, submit his inspection report 
to the Authority. 
 
8[(4) The Authority may authorize any of its officers to undertake investigation, in the manner it may 
prescribe, in any matter with regard to its functions and to seek any specific information, from any person, 
which the Authority may deem useful in order to enable it to determine and dispose of such matter. 
(5) The Authority or as the case may be the Chairman after issuing a show cause notice to a broadcast 
media or distribution service may seize its broadcast or distribution service equipment, or seal the premises, 
which is being used in contravention of the provisions of this Ordinance or the rules made thereunder or any 
other law: 
 
1Subs. by the  Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Amdt.) Act, 2007( Act II of 2007), s.17, for “section 27”. 
2Ins., sub. and added by Act LXI of 2023, s.12. 
3Subs. by the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Amdt.) Act, 2007( II of 2007), s.18, for “broadcasting or CTV”. 
4Subs. ibid., for “broadcaster or”.  
5Subs. ibid., s.19, for “broadcaster or a CTV”. 
6Certain words omitted ibid. 
7Subs. ibid., for “or CTV station”. 
8New sub-sections (4), (5) and (6) added ibid. 
  
Page 18 of 21 
 
 
Provided that the equipment shall be returned to the holder of a valid licence after imposing 
on him such penalty as the Authority may determine. 
 
(6) 1 [*  *  *  *  *  *  *]  
1[29A. Imposition of fine. — The Authority or, as the case may be, the Chairman, after the 
licensee has been given reasonable opportunity to show cause, impose fine up to one million rupees 
on a licensee who contravenes any of the provisions of this Ordinance or the rules or regulations or the 
code of conduct or the terms and conditions of the licence: 
Provided that in case of severe violations, the Authority may impose a fine up to ten million 
rupees on the licensee. 
29B. Dues to be recovered as arrears of land revenue. — All dues inc luding outstanding 
licence fee, annual renewal fee or any other charges including fine as imposed by the Authority shall 
be recoverable  as arrears of land revenue.] 
 
2[30. Power to vary conditions, suspend or revoke the licence.⸺(1) The Authority may 
revoke or suspend the licence of a broadcast media or distribution  service by an order in 
writing on one or more of the following grounds, namely:⸺ 
 
(a)  the licensee has failed to pay the license fee , annual renewal fee or any other 
charges including fine, if any;  
 
(b)  the licensee has contravened any provision of this Ordinance or rules or 
regulations made thereunder: 
 
Provided that in the case of revocation of a licence of a broadcast media 
an opinion to this effect shall also be obtained from the Council of Complaints; 
 
(c)  the licensee has failed to comply with any condition of the licence; and 
 
(d)  where the licensee is a  company, and its shareholders have transferred a 
majority of the shares in the issued or paid up capital of t he company or if 
control of the company is otherwise transferred to persons not being the 
original shareholders of the company at the time of grant of licence, without 
written permission of the Authority. 
 
(2) The Authority may vary any of the terms and conditions of the licence where it deems 
that such variation is in the public interest. 
 
(3)  Except for reason of necessity in the public interest a licence shall not be varied, suspended 
or revoked und er sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) unless the l icensee h as been given reasonable 
notice to show cause and a personal hearing.] 
 
 
 
1Omitted and Subs. by Act LXI of 2023, ss.13-14. 
2Subs. by the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority ( Amdt.) Act, 2007( Act II of 2007), s.21 for “section 30”. 
  
Page 19 of 21 
 
 
1[30A. Appeals.__ Any person aggrieved by any decision or order of the Chairman or the Authority 
may, within thirty days of the receipt therof, prefer an appeal to the High Court within whose territorial 
jurisdiction the proceedings were initiated and the decision or order has been passed.] 
1[30B. Jurisdiction of courts barred.— Jurisdictions  of civil  courts are barred. Save as otherwise 
provided by this Act, no court or other Authority shall have jurisdiction to question the legality of anything 
done or any action taken under this Ordinance, by or at the instance of the Authority.] 
 
2[31. Uplinking Facilities.⸺ (1) No person shall carry out uplinking without a valid Teleport 
or Satellite TV licence from the Authority; 
 
(2) The Authority may, subject to fulfillment of such conditions, as may be prescribed, issue 
permission in writing to any party to carry out temporary uplinking from a ground transmission facility to 
a satellite in order to transmit any programme within or outside Pakistan.] 
 
32. Power to grant exemptions.__ The Authority may grant exemptions from any provisions 
of this Ordinance, where the Authority is of the view that such exemption serves the public interest  and  
the  exemptions  so  granted  shall  be  supported  by  recording  the  reasons  for granting such exemptions 
in writing provided that the grant of exemptions shall be based on guidelines  and criteria identified  in 
the Rules and that such exemptions  shall be made in conformity with the principles of equality and 
equity as enshrined in the Constitution. 
 
33. Offences and penalties.⸺ (1)  Any 3 [ broadcast media or distribution service] operator or 
person who violates or abets the violation of any of the provisions of the Ordinance shall be guilty of an 
offence punishable with a fine which may extend to 4[ten million] rupees. 
 
(2) When such 3[broadcast media or distribution service] operator or person repeats the violation 
or abetment, such person shall be guilty of an offence punishable with imprisonment for a term which may 
extend to three years, or with fine, or with both. 
(3) Where the violation, or abetment of the violation of any provision of this Ordinance is 
made by a person who does not hold a licence, such violation shall be punishable with imprisonment 
for a term which may extend to four years, or with fine, or with both 5[, in addition to the 
confiscation of the equipment used in the commission of the act.] 
 
6[(4) Whosoever damages, removes, tampers with or commits theft of any equipment of a 
broadcast   media   or distribution   service   station   licensed   by the Authority, including transmitting 
or broadcasting apparatus, receivers, boosters, converters, distributors, antennae, wires, decoders, set-
top boxes or multiplexers shall be guilty of an offence punishable with imprisonment which may extend 
to three years, or with fine, or both.] 
7[33A. Officers of Federal, Provincial and Local Governments to assist Authority.__ The 
officers of Federal Government, Provincial Governments and Local Governments including the Capital 
Territory Police and the Provincial Police shall assist the Authority and its officers in the discharge 
of their functions under the provisions of this Ordinance and the rules and regulations made thereunder. 
 
1Subs. and Ins. by Act LXI of 2023, ss.15-16 
2Subs. by the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Amdt .) Act, 2007(Act II of 2007), s.23, for “section 31”. 
3Subs. ibid., s.24, for “broadcoaster or CTV”. 
4Subs. ibid., for “one million”.  
5Added ibid. 
6New sub-section (4) added ibid. 
7New sections 33A and 33B ins. ibid., s.25.  
Page 20 of 21 
 
 
33B. Warrants for search.⸺ (1) Where on information furnished by the Authority, the 
Court has reason to believe that any unlicensed  broadcast media or distribution  service is being 
owned, controlled or operated or its equipment is being kept or concealed, it may issue a search 
warrant and the person to whom such search warrant is directed, may enter the premises where 
such unlicensed broadcast media or distribution  s ervice is being owned, controlled, operated or 
provided or its equipment is being kept or concealed, or carry out search and inspection thereof and 
seize all or any equipment therein. 
(2)  Any equipment of a broadcast media station seized under sub-section (1) having no ostensible 
owner shall vest in the Authority.] 
 
34. Cases to be initiated on complaint.__  No court shall take cognizance of any offence 
under 1[sub­section (1) or (2) of section 33 of] this Ordinance except on a complaint in 
writing by the Authority or any officer authorized by it. 
 
1[34A. Offences to be compoundable and cognizable.__  The offences under sub-sections (3) 
and (4) of section 33 of this Ordinance shall be compoundable and cognizable.] 
 
35. Cognizance of offences etc.⸺ (1) No court inferior to that of a Magistrate of the first class 
shall try an offence punishable under this Ordinance. 
 
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in section 32 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 
1898 (Act V of 1898), it shall be lawful for any Magistrate of the first class to pass any sentence 
authorized by this Ordinance even if such sentence exceeds his powers under the said section 32. 
 
36.  Offences by companies.⸺ (1)   Where any offence under this Ordinance   has been 
committed by a person who at the time the offence was committed was in charge of and was responsible 
to the company for the conduct of the business of the company as well as the company itself shall be 
deemed to be guilty of the offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly. 
 
(2) Where the person guilty of an offence under this Ordinance, is a company, corporation or 
firm, every director, partner and employee of the company, corporation or firm shall, unless he 
proves that offence was committed without his knowledge, or consent, shall be guilty of the offence 
and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly. 
 
37. Ordinance overrides other laws.⸺ (1) The provisions of this Ordinance shall have effect 
notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any other law for the time being in force, 
or any contract, agreement or any other instrument whatsoever: 
 
Provided that⸺ 
 
2[(a)  the national broadcasters and state -owned enterprises shall continue to be 
regulated by the relevant laws; and] 
 
 
 
1Ins. by the  Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Amdt.) Act, 2007(Act II of 2007), ss. 26-27. 
2Subs. by Act LXI of 2023, s.17. 
 
Page 21 of 21 
 
 
(b)  other existing private broadcasters or CTV operators who had been granted 
respective monopolies in multi-modal distribution system, cable TV and in FM 
radio shall henceforth be regulated by this Ordinance except in respects where 
specific exemptions are granted by the Authority. 
38. Indemnity.__ No suit, prosecution or other legal proceeding shall lie against the Federal 
Government or any Provincial Government or local authority or any other person exercising any 
power or performing any function under this Ordinance or for anything which is in good faith done or 
purporting or intended to be done under this Ordinance or any rule made thereunder. 
 
39. Power to make rules.⸺ (1) The Authority may, with the approval of the 1[Federal] 
Government, by notification in the official Gazette, make rules to carry out the purposes of this 
Ordinance. 
(2) In particular, and without prejudice to the generality of the fore-going power, such rules 
may be provided for all or any of the following matters, namely:⸺ 
 
(a)  to pr escribe the forms for the licences for workin g, installing, operating, or 
dealing in transmission broadcast or distribution apparatus and the manner in 
which applications for the licences shall be granted; 
 
(b)   to prescribe the terms and conditions of the licence including fee to be charged 
in connection with the issuance of licences and related matters, 2[*] 
2[(c)  to prescribe standards and measures for the establishment of broadcast media 
stations, installation of broadcasting, distribution service or teleporting 
equipment, transmitters, receivers, boosters, converters, distributors and 
common antennae; 
 
(d)  to prescribe terms and conditions for the broadcast media or distribution service 
operators who own, control or operate more than one media enterprise; and 
 
(e)  to define t he circumstances constituting undue concentration of media 
ownership and abuse of powers and anti-competitive practices by media 
companies.] 
3[39A. Power to make regulations. — The Authority may, by notification in the official 
Gazette, make regulations not inconsistent with the provision of this Ordinance and the rules for 
carrying out the purposes of this Ordinance in respect of its internal matters or as such required  by 
any provision of this Ordinance.] 
40. Removal of difficulties.__ If any difficulty arises in giving effect to the provisions of this 
Ordinance, the Authority may make such order, not inconsistent with provisions of this Ordinance, as 
may appear to it to be necessary for the purpose of removing the difficulty. 
 
 
218080           Date:  07.04.2026 
 
1 Ins. by Act No. XXIV 2026, s.6. 
2Omitted and subs. by the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Amdt.) Act, 2007( Act II of 2007), s. 28. 
3Ins. by Act LXI of 2023, s.18.