Direct-to-Home (DTH) Licensing and Compliance Services

Your trusted partner in DTH licensing and compliance

Licensing and Compliance Services

Pakistan’s Direct-to-Home (DTH) service landscape is governed by a robust regulatory regime, offering limited, non-exclusive licenses through a rigorous bidding and compliance framework overseen by the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA). We offer comprehensive legal services to prospective bidders and license holders seeking to establish and operate DTH distribution services across Pakistan.

AUJ LAWYERS LLP is equipped to guide clients through every stage of this highly competitive and technically demanding licensing process, from pre-qualification assessment and bid participation to post-award compliance, commercial contracting, and regulatory representation. The scope of our DTH legal services includes:

Pre-Bid Structuring and Legal Eligibility Review: Before entering the bidding process, every applicant must carefully assess its legal structure to ensure strict compliance with PEMRA’s eligibility framework. Our firm advises clients on incorporating a suitable company under the Companies Act, 2017, in a manner that aligns with PEMRA’s requirement that the applicant be a Pakistani-incorporated entity. We ensure that foreign ownership restrictions, capped at less than 50% without management or operational control, are not violated.

Application Preparation and Regulatory Documentation: PEMRA’s application requirements are extensive, comprising over two dozen statutory forms, financial disclosures, and affidavits. We take complete charge of preparing and reviewing these submissions. This includes the principal application form, certified board resolutions authorizing the DTH licence application, and all necessary SECP returns.

Bid Process Legal Representation: The DTH licensing process involves a two-stage bidding format: sealed bid submission and an open outcry round. We provide legal representation throughout this process. We provide legal assistance in filling and submitting the prescribed bidding form and advise on procedural safeguards to contest or challenge any irregularities in the bidding committee’s process. Throughout, we remain present to safeguard our client’s legal position and ensure regulatory compliance.

Post-Award Advisory and Commercial Support: Successful bidders must meet several post-award legal and financial obligations. We provide advisory on the payment structure of the Applicable Licence Fee (ALF), which may be discharged either as a lump-sum payment or in 10 equal annual instalments with cumulative KIBOR markup. We assist in calculating and submitting the adjusted payment by deducting the earlier deposited bid security from the upfront component. Our firm also drafts and vets key commercial agreements, including contracts with PAKSAT International for satellite capacity. Furthermore, we help develop compliant subscriber agreements and policies in line with commercial interoperability rules.

Regulatory Compliance, Renewals & Risk Mitigation: Once operational, DTH licensees must maintain ongoing compliance with a wide range of PEMRA rules, regulations, and licence conditions. Our firm offers legal audits and advisory to ensure continued compliance with encryption standards, thematic channel obligations, value-added service policies, and other licence-specific terms. We also provide strategic counsel to ensure timely payment of annual fees and any applicable taxes, and we liaise with PEMRA in case of any show-cause notices or compliance inspections.

Litigation and Enforcement Services: Where disputes arise whether in relation to the bidding process, licence revocation, satellite service contracts, encryption violations, or subscriber claims, our litigation team is well-positioned to represent clients before PEMRA, High Courts, and appellate tribunals. We have experience handling matters concerning procedural irregularities in bid evaluations, encashment of performance guarantees, commercial disagreements with infrastructure vendors, and administrative actions involving penalties or licence suspension. Our approach is proactive and solutions-oriented, aiming either to secure compliance or challenge unjust regulatory actions effectively.

Why AUJ LAWYERS LLP?

AUJ LAWYERS LLP is uniquely positioned to provide end-to-end DTH legal advisory with deep expertise in Pakistan’s electronic media law and PEMRA regulations. We can represent clients across all stages of DTH compliance, including formation, bidding, financing, contracting, and enforcement. Our team integrates regulatory precision with commercial insight, ensuring that our clients not only meet legal requirements but are also commercially competitive. With multidisciplinary support across corporate, telecom, banking, and tax domains, we deliver holistic and strategic value to every client we represent.