Lahore High Court’s Justice Shahid Karim on Monday sought replies from concerned quarters on a plea seeking a comprehensive report from the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) upon “why the authority’s prohibition order on former prime minister Mian Nawaz Sharif’s speeches is being violated and what action has so far been taken”.
As proceedings commenced, petitioner Munir Ahmed’s counsel advocate Azhar Siddique implored the court that politicians of other political parties are scandalising the judiciary but Pemra is playing the role of a spectator. He argued that “judiciary and judges are our red line” and no one will be allowed to cross it.
He said that Pemra had banned speeches, press talks and other activities of the absconders, adding that constitutionally, the speeches of a person who is an absconder could not be run on TV channels.
Azhar argued that the Pemra’s prohibition order is not being complied in letter and spirit.
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He contended that Pemra rules also do not allow coverage of a court’s absconder, adding that live coverage of the former prime minister on TV channels was a sheer violation of the Constitution as well as the Pemra’s order that had prohibited his coverage.
He requested the court that the instant application may very kindly be allowed and a comprehensive report may kindly be summoned from Pemra that why the prohibition order has been violated and what action has so far been taken in this respect.
He requested the court to give directions for the enforcement of Article 10-A in letter and spirit in the interest of justice, equity and fair play.
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