You ban Pak channels, we ban rest of cable TV

Cable operators in the Kashmir valley have stopped airing all Indian and foreign channels in retaliation to a ban imposed on four Pakistani television channels by authorities.

However, local channels were working normally.

Cable operators issued a 48-hour ultimatum to authorities to lift the ban on four Pak channels -- Geo, ARY, PTV and Aaj -- or they would suspend their operation in the Valley.

District authorities, while banning the airing of Pak channels in the valley with immediate effect, have warned that any cable operator found violating the ban orders will be booked under Cable Television Network (regulation) Act 1996.

The authorities said the ban order was issued on the directions from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. The cable operators, in retaliation, stopped airing Indian or foreign channel, including sports channels.

Thousands of cricket lovers said they were disappointed after they could not watch the T20 match between Deccan Chargers and Rajasthan Royals at Hyderabad on Thursday night.

This was the first time cable operators in the Kashmir valley were facing a ban on Pakistani channels.