ISLAMABAD:
The nexus between the Supreme Court administration and a private media group was exposed on Wednesday. The said media group published and broadcasted several news items – including some publicity material – a few days before the retirement of Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry. In return, the same group was allowed to exclusively cover the full-court reference in honour of the outgoing chief justice.
The media group was favoured at the cost of national and international media. Quite unsurprisingly, several cases are pending adjudication against the same media group in the top court of the country since long.
PPP Senator and lawyers’ leader Aitzaz Ahsan said that a private media group has been airing a publicity campaign for Iftikhar Chaudhry at the cost of its own commercial interests. “Today, Iftikhar Chaudhry repaid [the favour] by allowing the same group to exclusively cover the full court reference proceedings,” said Aitzaz, who had spearheaded a movement for the reinstatement of dozens of top court judges, including Justice Chaudhry, after they were sacked by former military ruler Pervez Musharraf.
Renowned lawyer Ahmed Raza Kasuri said that Justice Chaudhry used to sit silent in courtroom No 1 during proceedings. “The moment the reporter of one media group entered the court, he would unleash a barrage of observations and remarks,” he added.
Journalists from other news channels staged a protest against the discrimination displayed by the court administration in the premises of the Supreme Court on the occasion of the retirement of the outgoing chief justice. They demanded the new CJP hold an inquiry into the incident.
Hameed, the secretary of the outgoing chief justice Chaudhry, explained that the services of a private cameraman were acquired. “The cameraman was asked to provide the footage to all TV channels, but he provided footage to one specific channel only,” he said.
The journalists, however, did not accept his stance and maintained that the incident happened according to a plan prepared in advance. They said that a few employees of the apex court were also involved in the conspiracy and demanded an independent inquiry.
The president of the Supreme Court Bar and the vice-chairman of the Pakistan Bar Council also supported the journalists’ stance and joined them in demanding an inquiry.
The Supreme Court provided no explanation regarding the incident till the filing of this report.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 12th, 2013.
COMMENTS (31)
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@SA Chaudhary: August Court of Molvi Mushtaq, Dogar or Iftikhar Chaurdry, keep on guessing many more names.
A Peshawary
Someone please enlighten me; What is the logic behind reporting news without taking names? Since everyone knows that 'one media group' is Geo, then what purpose does it serve to hide it. This practice of disguising names is prevalent all over Pakistani media and its unprofessional and simply annoying.
@the skunk
Can I know your name please? You have asked ET to do the sae after all. Baray Bol from a coward who hides behind an alias.
@Ahsanullah: Sir you are absolutely right.
PROPAGANDA; This is just a propaganda against the august supreme court of Pakistan and it appears that some group is trying to malign the then Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhary as the said group appears to have been pregnant with grudge and malice. Whatever that group any other individual say but the fact remains that Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhary gained historical respect and honour and during his tenure landmark decisions were taken by the August court.
Now there is no ambiguity left.A clear nexus between the particular media group and the outgoing CJ was in effect.The group took undue advantages out of the nexus.
@Lal Din Meerasi: Very good meerasi.Be ready for drum beats and song.I am with you.
@GS@Y:
So you are a part of small mided people becuase you have also commented.Guy, people have the right to express their view,critical, positive and analytical.So be tolerant to bear others point of veiw.
@Nikki: In Pakistan who can use whom you never know. I respect you when you say TRUTH prevails.But, in your country truth is burried and the person who strives to digout it become victim----------Nikki you know that
It was not as big an issue as the media made it. Just proves that our media shows what is in their own personal interests rather than the real issues.
The same group announced the election results with indecent haste, which helped push through the dubious results of the deeply flawed elections. It also lent one of its analysts to be the caretaker CM of Punjab and we all know what he 'delivered' there. The role of the RO's was also unacceptable. Now what we saw at the SC yesterday seems to imply that there was an establishment-PML-judiciary nexus operating to ensure the status quo does not change. I feel for the naivete of Imran Khan who used to be the CJP's most outspoken supporter.
Small-minded people making small-minded comments. ET, you can do better!
Pathetic and Biased Reporting. Please grow up guys.
Sounds like more of a maligning campaign from pro Mush camp in particular. I feel that current government would also be celebrating CJ Iftikhar's exit. I respect and appreciate CJ's courage and bold decisions.
Unless and until ET does not label the names, nothing good ever comes out of evil. Evil will continue and names will be withheld to protect egos. Take a bold step by exposing them fully and not nebulously. Salams
So finally the cat has come out from bag. Only truth prevails in this world niether rule of law nor independent judiciary in Pakistan particularly. God Protect Pakistan
Sour grapes........
We had the golden opportunity where rule of law could be implemented at grass root levels. This was only possible with revamping of lower judiciary system. We again failed miserably and created another organ of the country with powerful people. The power culture is not diminishing but expanded with more privilege people of Pakistan. We were hoping the power culture will be weakening under Chief Justice but we were failed.
ET that media group has a name and that name is Geo News
This has to be the most ridiculous news item this year. An apology is due from ET for publishing it.
That media group had find no match in Pakistan as a reason it is leading; advice for opponents "dare to compete"
I just hope the "love affair" with that media group won't continue.
Supporters of dictator and corrupt elements of previous government have come out from their holes but these cowards will not succeed in their mission. Whole nation is with ex CJ.
ET stop being petty and dramatic. There is no nexus as such. Another channel just outscooped and you would have done the same if you had opportunity. This is just a case of sour grapes.
Guess someone else will be taking suo moto action now...
Please name the group? otherwise don't talk about the group. I am not Pakistan and this is annoying!!! Or use hint words like orange and blue lol?
More to come in theaters near you. Stay tuned.