IHC orders Bol TV to relocate offices

Judge pointed out that the TV channel had failed to comply with the court’s judgment of May 23 this year


Arsalan Altaf June 23, 2018
The Islamabad High Court. PHOTO: EXPRESS

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) told the Bol TV management on Friday to relocate their Islamabad offices within a week otherwise they would be evicted from their premises in residential area in violation of civic by-laws.

The ruling came during the hearing of the long-running case on encroachments in the federal capital.

When Bol’s lawyer sought more time for the relocation, Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqi ruled: “The administration of Bol TV channel must know that non-compliance in property use is not permissible and no media house or studio can be established in residential area (in the federal capital).”

The judge also pointed out that the TV channel had failed to comply with the court’s judgment of May 23 this year which was also upheld by the Supreme Court, allowing the channel’s management a week to vacate the residential building.

“In the interest of justice, one week’s time is granted to the applicant and other TV channels operating in residential areas to vacate the premises on their own,” the court observed.

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After the deadline, the court warned, action would be taken by CDA’s enforcement department and the police.

CDA informed the court they had served a warning on the TV channel in 2015.

If Bol TV management failed to comply with the court orders, contempt of court proceedings would be initiated for false undertaking.

The court, which would resume the case on June 29, also summoned CDA’s director land, telling him to appear in person.

According to CDA, there are at least 20 media houses located in residential areas in the capital, in violation of by-laws.

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