Govt issues orders against beaming of Pak channels

The directive comes a day after the Centre asked the state government to ensure that unauthorised beaming of such channels in Kashmir is blocked.

One of the militants at the funeral at Qaimoh in Kulgam on Sunday. Shuaib Masoodi

The Jammu and Kashmir government has asked all deputy commissioners to ensure that no Pakistani TV channel is aired in the Valley. It has also blocked the airing of most religious channels, including those from Saudi Arabia. The directive comes a day after the Centre asked the state government to ensure that unauthorised beaming of such channels in Kashmir is blocked.

State Home Secretary R K Goyal issued the order to the deputy commissioners on Saturday, asking them to report “what action has been taken” against cable operators who beam the “non-permitted TV channels”. He told the deputy commissioners they “can seize the equipment” of cable operators who transmit such channels.

Referring to some media reports that non-permitted TV channels were being aired in Kashmir, Goyal asked them to “ensure that urgent necessary action” is taken in the matter.

“It needs to be noted that transmission of non-permitted TV channels, apart from attracting the violation mentioned above, has the potential to encourage or incite violence and create law and order disturbances in the Kashmir valley,” says the directive.

The list of “non-permitted TV channels”, issued by Goyal, includes most Pakistani news and entertainment channels, including PTV Sports.

Bashaarat Masood

Bashaarat Masood is a Special Correspondent with The Indian Express. He has been covering Jammu and Kashmir, especially the conflict-ridden Kashmir valley, for two decades. Bashaarat joined The Indian Express after completing his Masters in Mass Communication and Journalism from the University in Kashmir. He has been writing on politics, conflict and development. Bashaarat was awarded with the Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Awards in 2012 for his stories on the Pathribal fake encounter. Expertise and Experience Two Decades of Frontline Reporting: Bashaarat has spent 20 years documenting the evolution of Kashmir, from high-intensity conflict and political shifts to socio-economic development. Award-Winning Investigative Journalism: He is a recipient of the prestigious Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award (2012). This honor was bestowed for his reporting on the Pathribal fake encounter, a series of stories that highlighted his ability to handle sensitive human rights and security issues with investigative rigor. Specialized Beats: His authoritative coverage spans: Political Transitions: Tracking the shift from statehood to Union Territory, electoral dynamics, and the pulse of local governance. Security & Conflict: Providing nuanced reporting on counter-insurgency, civil liberties, and the impact of the conflict on the civilian population. Development: Documenting the infrastructure, healthcare, and educational landscape within the Valley. Academic Background: He holds a Masters in Mass Communication and Journalism from the University of Kashmir, providing him with a localized academic and professional foundation that is rare in regional reporting. ... Read More

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