Travel Guide
Pakistan Travel Tips
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President Pervez Musharraf's military rule has been marked by increased freedom for the print media and a liberalisation of broadcasting policies. The expansion of private radio and television stations brought to an end more than five decades of the state's virtual monopoly of broadcasting. Licences for more than 20 private satellite TV stations have been awarded, signalling increased competition for the state-run Pakistan Television Corporation. By April 2004 more than 50 licenses had been issued for private FM radio stations. Pakistan's media regulator estimated that the country could support more than 800 private radio stations. Private stations are only allowed to broadcast music and entertainment. Many viewers in Pakistan watch a range of international satellite TV channels, via a dish or an often-unlicensed cable TV operator. Indian channels such as Zee TV and STAR TV are popular with those who can receive them. The channels circumvent censorship in Pakistan that is far more restrictive than in India. Pakistan and India regularly engage in a war of words via their respective media, occasionally banning broadcasts from the other country. The government uses a range of legal and constitutional powers to curb press freedom. The country's law on blasphemy has been used against journalists. Nevertheless, Pakistan's print media are among the most outspoken in South Asia. The press
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