The two upcoming TV channels -- Satellite National Television (SNTV) and Islami Television (I TV) -- have already received government approval.

Salahuddin Ahmed and Nasiruddin Ahmed Pintu, BNP lawmakers elected from Demra and Lalbagh constituencies, are jointly launching SNTV.

Major (Retd) Sayeed Eskandar, BNP lawmaker from Feni-1 constituency who is also younger brother of Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, has been learnt to be launching the other channel, I TV.

Talking to The Daily Star yesterday, Salahuddin Ahmed said SNTV will be a joint venture of him and Nasiruddin Pintu.

He said they have already received permission from the government. "We're currently busy buying our equipment and it will take at least three months for it."

Asked about the possible date for launching their TV channel, he said: "We hope to launch by August this year; we'll complete our preparation by that time."

Sources said Salahuddin Ahmed initiated the process of launching the satellite TV channel after his failed attempt to run a vernacular daily 'Desh Janata'.

Meanwhile, it could not be learnt whether Sayeed Eskandar is going to launch his satellite TV channel merely to broadcast Islamic ideology or for business purposes.

Former Dhaka City Corporation Mayor Mohammad Hanif earlier had initiated a process to launch a satellite TV channel for broadcasting Islamic ideology.

Programmers of Islamic functions who were involved with that process will be in key roles in Sayeed Eskandar's channel, according to sources.

When this correspondent phoned Eskandar last night for his comments, he declined to make any comment over the phone. He, however, did not deny the authenticity of the news.

Media experts believe permission for SNTV and I TV have been granted to get political benefit during the next general election, putting aside over 50 other applications.

Alliance ministers, MPs and their close associates are involved behind previously permitted Channel 1, Banglavision, Baishakhi and RTV, said the sources.

Giasuddin Al Mamoon, friend and business partner of the PM's son and BNP's senior joint secretary general Tareque Rahman, owns Channel 1. Some ministers and AHM Selim MP are also involved with it directly.

Dhaka City Corporation Mayor Sadek Hossain Khoka, State Minister for Expatriate Welfare Major (Retd) Kamrul Islam, and State Minister for Home Affairs Lutfozzaman Babar are key men of the channel Banglavision while LGRD Minister and BNP's Secretary General Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan have been learnt to be behind it too.

Housing and Public Works Minister Mirza Abbas and some of his business partners own Baishakhi channel while Mosaddek Ali MP owns two TV channels, NTV and RTV.