Amid continuous media coverage of anti-government protests over suspension of Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhary, authorities here may lift restrictions on airing Indian channels apparently to put “some pressure” on Pakistani channels which will then have to face a stiff competition.

Cable operators are expecting the government to lift the restrictions on airing Indian channels in a bid to put subtle pressure on the Pakistani channels which are giving more airtime to the anti-government protests against the suspension of Chaudhary.

“I think what the government is very cleverly putting pressure on the Pakistani channels which will then have to compete with Indian channels in the advertising market and also for subscription fees,” a Pakistan Cable Operators Association official said.

The government, despite promoting a free and more tolerant media policy, has not been happy in recent weeks over the kind of coverage the Pakistani channels have given to the protests held by the opposition parties and lawyers against the suspension of Chaudhary.