Islamabad: Pakistan's Information Ministry has recommended to the Government to allow India-based STAR satellite television channels, which were banned along with other Indian channels, to be aired by cable operators.

The Information Ministry has sent a formal summary to Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz's office, seeking his approval to grant permission to STAR TV channels.

Classifying the STAR network as non-Indian multinational media group, the ministry has recommended to permit its distribution and marketing in Pakistan, local daily 'The News' reported today (Oct 23, 2004).

With rumours of relaxation of the ban, several cable TV operators here have already begun showing STAR Plus and STAR Utsav channels.

While recommending lifting of the ban, the Ministry informed the Prime Minister that SATSTAR Media (Pvt) Ltd has already made a formal request for distribution and marketing of STAR TV satellite channels in the country.

The ministry has sought the required permission to be granted to the said channel by changing the existing policy, the paper said.

The ministry while recommending to permit the STAR network's broadcast pressed for continuing the ban on Indian channels like Zee TV, Aajtak and Doordarshan.

The ban on Indian channels from 2001 continued to be in force despite the thaw in the relations.