ISLAMABAD
Islamabad High Court (IHC) has issued notice to PEMRA on the petitions filed against ban on court’s proceedings reporting.
The court has also restrained PEMRA from taking adverse action against TV channels.
A joint petition of Islamabad High Court Journalists Association and Press Association of Supreme Court came up for hearing before single bench of IHC led by Chief Justice (CJ) IHC Aamir Farooq here Friday.
Barrister Ijaz Gillani counsel for petitioners and Riasat Ali Azad president IHC Bar Association (IHCBA) appeared in the court.
IHC while issuing notice to Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) and secretary information adjourned the hearing of petitions till May 28.
The court has issued notice on miscellaneous petition seeking suspension of PEMRA notification.
The PEMRA notification was challenged in IHC.
A joint petition was filed by Islamabad High Court Journalists Association and Press Association of Supreme Court against ban on court’s ‘proceedings reporting.
Presidents of Islamabad High Court Journalists Association and Press Association of Supreme Court Aqeel Afzal and Fayyaz Mehmood had filed petition in IHC against PEMRA notification regarding ban on court’s proceedings reporting. They had made information secretary and chairman PEMRA respondents.
The petitioners had requested the court to nullify PEMRA notification declaring it unconstitutional besides suspending it till the final decision of the petition.
The petitioners said PEMRA issued directives about court’s proceedings through amended notification on May 21. PEMRA notification runs contrary to article 19 and 19-A of the constitution.
It was further said in the petition that Supreme Court decision was misinterpreted in PEMRA notification.
