Two Pakistan cities ban sales of satellite dishes

http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSISL542120071107

ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Authorities have stopped sales of satellite dishes in two Pakistani cities to block access to private news channels, salesmen said on Wednesday.

The channels were taken off air on Saturday after the government imposed emergency rule, leaving only state television to run and re-run President Pervez Musharraf's address to the nation justifying his decision.

"Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority has temporarily suspended transmission of independent news TV channels till further instructions," says a message flashed by operators to its clients.

Instead, more Indian movies and entertainment channels have been added by cable operators.

The censorship prompted some to switch to satellite dishes for an update on domestic and world reaction, attracting a move by local administrations to prevent the sale of the equipment.

Police went to various electronic markets in at least two cities -- Rawalpindi, next to Islamabad, and Karachi -- and asked shop-owners to close, according to traders and witnesses.

After all, the press on Monday and Tuesday pointed out that people were going back to their old satellite dishes to watch/monitor foreign broadcasts.