Lahore High Court hears challenge to PEMRA's media reporting ban on court proceedings
Islamabad High Court
The Lahore HighCourton Thursday (May 23) heard a challenge toPakistan'smediawatchdog'srestriction on reporting on thenation'songoing court proceedings .
On May 21, the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) prohibited TV news networks from providing news, analysis, and opinions regarding the ongoing legal processes. Various journalist associationshave haverejectedPEMRA'sban, stating it violates thecountry’sConstitution.
This restrictionis intendedto preventjudges'"adverse comments"from beingpublicisedin cases involving former prime minister Imran Khan and the interference of intelligence agencies in court proceedings.
Tensions have been simmering between the judges of the Islamabad High Court and the military-backed government of Shehbaz Sharif over the alleged meddling of intelligence agencies in legal matters. The former accused the latter of using coercion to get desired verdicts in various cases, particularly those involving Imran Khan and the leaders of his party, the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI).
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The PEMRA notice was released on the same day that the Islamabad High Court questioned thespy agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), about the purported abduction of Kashmiri poet Ahmad Farhad.
The PEMRA announcement was contested at the LHC on Thursday by attorney Samra Malik, who claimed that it was"illegal and violative ofArticle-19and 19-A of the Constitution."
She asked that the mediaregulator's"illegal"notice be declared unlawful by the court and postponed until thepetition'soutcome was determined.
“TV channels are directed to refrain from airing tickers/headlines about court proceedings and shall only report the written orders of the court.Don'tair content including commentary, opinions or suggestions about the potential fate of sub judice matter which tends to prejudice the determination by a court, tribunal,”PEMRA said in its notification.
(With inputs from agencies)