ISLAMABAD: For the first time in the history of Pakistan, government auctioned three Direct to Home Service (DTH) licenses of Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority.  The licenses were sold for Rs 14.69 billion in the early hours of Thursday, Aaj News reported. 

The bidding process was completed in fifteen hours in which a total of eleven companies took part.

Mega entertainment Lahore offered 4.91 billion rupees, Shahzada Sky Islamabad offered 4.90 billion rupees and Star Times Communication Islamabad offered 4.898 billion rupees to get the licence.

The successful bidders would be issued licence after clearance from Interior Ministry and security agencies.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday set aside the stay granted by the Lahore High Court against bidding for Direct To Home (DTH) license by Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) and conditionally allowed the Authority to hold the bidding process.