SHC tells Sindh government to clear media groups’ dues

Bench warns of contempt of court action if deadline is not met

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court directed the provincial government on Tuesday to clear all dues of media groups within 20 days and warned of contempt of court action if the deadline is not met.

A division bench comprising Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar and Justice Agha Faisal was hearing the contempt of court plea filed on behalf of the Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) by its Secretary-General Dr Jabbar Khatak.

The plea stated that the government of Sindh had failed to clear advertisement dues owed to newspaper agencies and media houses despite the orders passed by SHC on May 30, 2019.

It added that newspaper agencies and media houses were facing a severe financial crises due to this and payment of employees' salaries were delayed.

Officials of the Sindh information department stated before the court that the procedure for the payment of dues has been completed. This includes approval from the finance department and the verification of bills.

They maintained that the case is being forwarded to the Sindh accountant-general for the issuance of cheques. Therefore, the contempt of court plea should be dismissed, they said.

The court rejected the request to dismiss the contempt of court plea and remarked that action for contempt of court can be taken if the dues are not cleared within the given time.

The court adjourned the hearing till September 20, 2019. CPNE was represented by advocate Rafiq Kalor while a large number of editors form media groups and other media employees were present in the court.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 28^th, 2019.