What Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority does

Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) is a statutory regulatory authority of the Government of Pakistan, established under PEMRA Ordinance 2002 and headquartered in Islamabad. It is the sole regulator of private electronic media in Pakistan, with responsibility for facilitating and regulating broadcast and distribution services including Satellite Television (STV), Direct-to-Home (DTH), Cable TV (CTV), FM Radio, Internet Protocol Television (IPTV), Multichannel Multipoint Distribution Services (MMDS), Mobile TV, Teleport Services, Landing Rights Permission (LRP), and Temporary Uplinking. The organization also manages Television Audience Measurement regulation under TAM Regulations 2018, issues No Objection Certificates for electronic media equipment imports, and operates the Council of Complaints (COC) framework for public grievances against broadcast content and non-payment of wages.

Its operations are administered through headquarters in Sector G-8/1 Islamabad and twelve regional offices across Pakistan (Lahore, Karachi, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Sargodha, Multan, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Peshawar South, Peshawar North, Quetta, and Gilgit Baltistan). The technical platform consists of a licensing portal for application submission, a PEMRA mobile application, a toll-free complaint call center (0800-73672), and a monitoring wing overseeing licensee broadcast standards under the Code of Conduct. Council of Complaints chapters exist for Islamabad, Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, plus the PCP & Complaint Call Center wing.

As a government entity, PEMRA does not operate a commercial revenue model. Its funding comes from a combination of federal budgetary allocations and license-related fees: non-refundable application processing fees (ranging from Rs. 10,000 for FM Radio in small cities to Rs. 200,000 for Landing Rights Permission), open-bidding license fees (e.g., Teleport base price Rs. 50 million), security deposits, and annual renewal fees (e.g., Mobile TV Rs. 100,000 + 2% AGPR). Temporary uplinking permissions operate on a daily-rate basis ranging from US$100 to US$1,000 per day depending on content category. The authority serves all private electronic media licensees operating in Pakistan, and indirectly serves Pakistani consumers via content standards enforcement.

Name

Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority

Legal name

Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority

Website

https://pemra.gov.pk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Statutory regulatory authority of the Government of Pakistan that licenses and regulates all private electronic media — including satellite TV, FM radio, cable, IPTV, DTH, mobile TV, and teleport services — under PEMRA Ordinance 2002.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Broadcast Media Regulation

NAICS

Regulation, Licensing, and Inspection of Miscellaneous Commercial Sectors (92615)

akta.pro primary industry

Communications, Media & Spectrum Regulators (BPAIAOAI)

Keywords

• Broadcast media licensing
• Electronic media regulation
• Satellite TV licensing
• FM radio licensing
• Cable TV regulation

Headquarters

HQ city

Islamabad

HQ country

Pakistan

HQ region

Asia

Offices12 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels1 record

Core offering

PEMRA is a statutory regulatory authority established under PEMRA Ordinance 2002 that facilitates and regulates private electronic media in Pakistan. It issues licenses across multiple broadcast and distribution categories (Satellite TV, FM Radio, Cable TV, IPTV, DTH, MMDS, Mobile TV, Teleport, Landing Rights, and Temporary Uplinking) and enforces the Code of Conduct through monitoring, the Council of Complaints framework, NOC issuance for equipment imports, and Television Audience Measurement regulation.

Product overview

PEMRA is Pakistan's electronic media regulatory authority established under PEMRA Ordinance 2002. It is not a product company but rather a regulatory body that facilitates and regulates private electronic media through a portfolio of licensing and compliance services. The organization offers licensing for various broadcast and distribution services including Satellite TV (STV), Direct-to-Home (DTH), Cable TV (CTV), FM Radio, IPTV, MMDS, Mobile TV, Teleport Services, and Landing Rights Permissions. Additionally, PEMRA provides regulatory services including complaints handling through its Council of Complaints, Television Audience Measurement (TAM) regulation, NOC issuance for electronic media equipment import, and complaint registration via toll-free number and official mobile app. These services work together to improve standards of information, education, and entertainment while enlarging choice available to people of Pakistan.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• DTH (Direct-to-Home) Distribution Service License License authorizing the establishment and operation of Direct-to-Home satellite television distribution services, allowing subscribers to receive TV signals directly from geostationary satellites in digital format at microwave frequencies. License fee determined via open bidding with published base price.
• Satellite Television (STV) Broadcasting License License for establishing and operating Satellite TV broadcast stations providing television content and services via satellite globally. Requires minimum Rs. 50 million paid-up capital. Maximum 4 licenses per company. License fee determined via open bidding.
• Landing Rights Permission (LRP) Permission for downlink and distribution of foreign satellite TV channels within Pakistan through licensed distribution networks. Application processing fee Rs. 200,000 (non-refundable), 5-year license duration, requires Rs. 10 million paid-up capital.
• FM Radio Broadcasting License License for FM radio broadcast stations operating on frequency modulation at 88-108 MHz with 40-50 km coverage area. Application processing fee Rs. 10,000 (small cities) or Rs. 25,000 (big cities). 3% refundable security deposit. 10-year license duration.
• Cable Television (CTV) Distribution License License for cable TV network operators to distribute broadcast and prerecorded signals through closed transmission paths to subscribers across Pakistan.
• Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) License License for delivering television programming using IP networks and high-speed broadband access technology, providing triple-play service (voice, video, data) on a single medium. Application processing fee Rs. 50,000 per application. Requires Rs. 3 million paid-up capital and a fixed local loop license from PTA.
• Multichannel Multipoint Distribution Services (MMDS) License License for wireless cable technology using microwave frequencies from 2.5 to 2.69 GHz with 40-50 km signal range. Application processing fee Rs. 20,000 (non-refundable). 10% refundable security deposit.
• Mobile TV (Video & Audio) License License for providing video content of licensed TV channels and audio feed through mobile network operators under agreement with content providers. Upfront fee Rs. 500,000. Annual renewal Rs. 100,000 plus 2% AGPR. Requires Rs. 0.3 million paid-up capital.
• Teleport Service License License for teleport facilities used in uplinking or downlinking of audio-visual programs between earth stations and satellites. Base price Rs. 50 million with installment payment option. 20-year license duration. Requires Rs. 50 million minimum paid-up capital.
• Temporary Uplinking Permission Permission for temporary and occasional transmission of audio/video signals from ground stations to satellites in the fixed satellite service framework. Fees vary by category: Category-A US$100/day (news agencies), Category-B US$1,000/day (sports with ads) or US$500/day (without), Category-C US$500/day (entertainment/news), Category-D US$1,000/day (events).
• NOC for Electronic Media Equipment Import No Objection Certificate service for import of electronic media equipment, including Android/Smart TV boxes, issued to PEMRA licensees. Regulates the import of broadcasting infrastructure into Pakistan.
• Complaints Registration and Handling Service Complaint registration service for the general public to lodge complaints against broadcast content and for electronic media employees to file wage-related complaints via toll-free number 0800-73672 and the official PEMRA mobile app.
• Council of Complaints (COC) Adjudication Forum Statutory forum for the general public to lodge complaints against broadcast programs and for electronic media employees to file complaints on non-payment of wages and salaries. Operational across Islamabad, Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
• Television Audience Measurement (TAM) Regulation Regulatory framework for TV rating and audience measurement services in Pakistan, established under TAM Regulations 2018, governing the provision of audience measurement data across the broadcast industry.

Quantifiable outcome

• 637 complaints resolved in two years through Council of Complaints
• +2 more outcomes

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• ABHI Microfinance BankminorOthers · 7 April 2026PEMRA signed an agreement with ABHI Microfinance Bank to provide Earned Wage Access (EWA) services to its employees, allowing staff to withdraw a portion of earned salaries before the monthly pay cycle. Both organizations committed to data security, regulatory compliance, and responsible usage standards.
• Iranian Audio Visual Media Regulatory Authority (SATRA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 November 2025PEMRA and SATRA signed an MoU to enhance cooperation and strengthen collaboration in the evolving media landscape. The partnership aims to share regulatory expertise and promote collaboration between the two countries' media regulatory bodies.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Info-communications Media Development Authority (IMDA): Singapore's statutory body regulating the converged telecoms, media, and postal industries. IMDA's converged regulatory model across broadcast and digital services parallels PEMRA's expanding scope into IPTV and digital media.
• Federal Communications Commission (FCC): The U.S. federal agency that regulates interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable. PEMRA is directly comparable as Pakistan's analogous communications, media, and spectrum regulator with statutory licensing authority over broadcasters and distributors.
• Ofcom: The U.K.'s communications regulator overseeing TV, radio, video-on-demand, and telecoms. Ofcom's licensing, content standards, and complaints-handling functions parallel PEMRA's mandate under the PEMRA Ordinance 2002.
• National Media and Infocommunications Authority (NMHH): Hungary's media and telecommunications regulator with authority over broadcasting, content, and electronic communications. NMHH's licensing and content oversight functions are analogous to PEMRA's role in Pakistan.
• Arcom (France): France's audiovisual and digital communications regulator, formed by merging the former CSA with HADOPI. Arcom oversees TV, radio, and on-demand audiovisual services in France, comparable to PEMRA's electronic media oversight.
• Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC): Canada's public regulator overseeing broadcasting and telecommunications, with licensing authority over TV, radio, and distribution platforms. CRTC's mandate and complaints framework mirror PEMRA's regulatory structure.
• Federal Network Agency (Bundesnetzagentur): Germany's federal regulator overseeing energy, telecommunications, postal, and rail markets, with spectrum allocation and broadcasting-related functions. PEMRA shares comparable licensing and spectrum-adjacent responsibilities for Pakistani electronic media.
• Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA): Australia's federal regulator for communications and media, responsible for broadcasting, radiocommunications, and content standards. ACMA's licensing and content enforcement role is structurally similar to PEMRA's oversight of Pakistani electronic media.

Direct peers

• Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI): India's statutory regulator for telecommunications and broadcasting, with licensing and standards-setting authority over cable TV, DTH, and broadcast services. TRAI is the closest regional counterpart to PEMRA given shared South Asian market dynamics.
• National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC): Thailand's regulator for broadcasting and telecommunications with authority over TV, radio, and telecom licensing. NBTC's licensing and enforcement structure in an emerging-market Asian context mirrors PEMRA's role in Pakistan.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/reportpemra
• Facebookfacebook.com/reportpemra
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pemra

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority