Foreign news channels will be among those affected
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Pakistan's cable TV operators say they will
refuse to broadcast national channels in protest at being prevented
from showing Indian programmes.
The Cable Operators' Association of Pakistan
will begin the boycott, which will also include foreign news channels
such as the BBC and CNN, on Sunday, general secretary Ahsan Ali told
Reuters news agency.
"Ninety-five percent of Pakistanis want to see Indian programmes," Mr Ali said. "The government should respect public opinion."
Pakistan banned Indian channels in March 2002 during a period of tense ties with its neighbour.
The association, which represents more than 900
operators, said if its demands were not met within the first week of
the boycott, the cable services would shut down completely. The association has been running a media campaign to try to raise public support for its position.
Ban reinforced
The government ban came during a military stand-off that
followed an attack by Islamic militants on the Indian parliament in
December 2001. "We co-operated with the government last year because of the
military build-up," said one operator, Khalid Arian.
But after this summer's thaw in relations, he said, some Indian programmes began to be broadcast again.
However, the government quickly moved to reinforce the ban.
The government wants to keep out Indian channels that have eaten into the advertising revenue of state-run Pakistan Television.
It is also under pressure from Islamic parties that are bitterly opposed to what they regard as an Indian cultural invasion.
The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority has appealed to the operators to drop the boycott.
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