By Abdul Ghani

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has sought a formal role for provinces in the licensing, renewal, and monitoring of FM radio stations and television channels, according to a document available with Wealth Pakistan.

The proposal notes that Article 159(1) of the Constitution of Pakistan allows provinces to construct and use transmitters in their respective jurisdictions and to regulate and impose fees regarding their construction and use. However, this constitutional provision has not yet been devolved to the provinces.

Under its first proposal, the KP government has sought a role for provinces in the issuance, renewal, and monitoring of FM radio and TV licences. It has proposed developing a mechanism through which provinces can participate in the licensing process.

It has also proposed establishing provincial regulatory offices of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA). According to the report, PEMRA is a federal entity responsible for regulating electronic media across the country, and the federal government, in consultation with provincial governments, could establish provincial PEMRA offices with representation from the respective provinces.

A major part of the proposal relates to licensing fee revenues. The report states that PEMRA currently collects fees for the issuance and renewal of licences, while provinces whose airwaves are being used do not receive any share of these revenues.

The KP government has therefore proposed that the federal government, in consultation with the provinces, formulate a mechanism under which both the federal government and provinces would receive a specific share of the revenues collected by PEMRA.

The provincial government has further sought exemption from federal licensing requirements for its FM radio stations.

The proposal states that KP is the first province to have its own network of FM radio stations and argues that, as a province on the frontline of efforts against terrorism and extremism, there is a need to encourage the establishment of more FM stations.

The document notes that the KP government allocates millions of rupees annually to the Pakhtunkhwa Radio FM network, with no financial return. It argues that allowing provincial FM stations to operate and broadcast commercials would help ensure the sustainability of such radio networks.

The proposals could potentially reshape the existing federal-provincial arrangement governing electronic media by giving provinces greater participation in licensing, regulatory oversight, and the revenues generated from broadcasting activities.

Credit: INP-WealthPk