ISLAMABAD: PEMRA concluded the bidding for award of 46 FM Radio Licenses in various cities and districts of Pakistan on Thursday.
The open and transparent bidding held at a local hotel continued for two days in addition to 116 FM radio licenses issued earlier by PEMRA in the first five phases. Inaugurating the session, Mr. Ahmed Mohammed Zahid the Executive Member PEMRA said that since established in 2002, PEMRA has taken all out efforts in filling the national landscapes with all modern forms of electronic media. He said that out of 116 radio licenses issued earlier, 93 have successfully gone On Air, while the rest would soon enter the fray. He credited this boom in electronic media to the government’s commitment to free media and the proactive role played by PEMRA in this regard.
The Executive Member said that the growth of TV channels, Cable TV and launch of FM radio stations have indeed contributed remarkably in raising the standards of public awareness and literacy.
He included that during the first 100 days of the present Government, licenses for 16 satellite TV, 10 FM radios and 232 cable TV have been given a part from permission for 02 Landing rights. The bidding was held to award the licenses for Karachi, Lahore, Faisalabad, Multan, Murree, Sialkot, Sukkur, Hyderabad, Gujranwala, Jehlum, Larkana, Haripur, Khanewal, Okara, Sheikhupura, Sargodha, Hafizabad, Kasur, Muzaffargarh, Ziarat, Jhang, Jaffarabad and rest of the cities. The highest bid amount of Rs. 370.60 million was offered by M/S Printek (pvt) Ltd and M/S Athena Entertainment for one FM radio licenses each at Karachi followed by Rs. 333.80 million for one licenses each of Lahore by M/S Northern Media Pvt. Ltd and M/S Athena. The successful companies would be required to start operation within one year after the award of licenses. Concluding the ceremony the Executive Member urged the successful bidders to ensure the healthy flow of information, entertainment and education to public in conformity with the national interest.—Agencies