Islamabad High Court (IHC) has given time to ministries of information and law till Friday February 10 in connection with electronic media legislation.
The petitions filed by High Court Journalists Association (HCJA) and others on legislation for electronic media came up for hearing before IHC bench led by Chief Justice (CJ) Amir Farooq Monday.
Information secretary Shahira Shahid and law secretary appeared in the court.
The CJ IHC while expressing displeasure over the attitude of ministries of law and information remarked there is time till next Friday. Do it what you can do otherwise he will give decision. If you cannot do it then I summon law minister and information minister.
Information secretary told the court when court gives directives we will do work according to it.
The court remarked “ abolish the ministries of law and information if every thing has to be done by the court. Then it is said that the courts interfere in the affairs of executive. The reason for it that executive does not do respective job. You are saying if the court gives directives then you will do the work.. if it is so then I will write whatever I have to write. Then no should complain.
The information secretary told the court we did not know this proceedings is continuing in IHC.
The court remarked “ I give order to information ministry to set up another ministry to give information to information ministry. Media is being called 4TH pillar and government is not ready to give basic rights to the journalists. These journalists are stake holders. They move tribunal for one lac rupees if they are not paid salary. No such forum was existing for the journalists of electronic media.
The Additional Attorney General (AAG) requested the court to give them some time. I will inform the court after obtaining directives.
The court remarked “ I am going to retire in 1931. Should I give date till that time. If parliament and executive do their job then these things will not come here.
Information secretary told the court PEMRA sees electronic media matters. Powers have been given to council of complaints.
The court remarked you people are doing this wrong. You people have gone to another side. You have misguided the cabinet. You should not have done so. Legislation be enacted for electronic media and a forum should be made separately. These cases should not come to the courts. Government should do these jobs on its own. Every one knows it how our system works. Workers have to face the difficulties. If you don’t want to do any thing in this regard then tell it clear to us. Hamid Mir had said that media owners pressure would come in this legislation. It is being seen today that media owners pressure is being taken.
The court while addressing the information secretary remarked take care of the workers and not of stake holders. If there are workers then there will be stake holders. Media is 4th pillar.
