LHC moved against Nawaz’s speeches
Former prime minister and PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif. SCREENGRAB
Lahore High Court’s (LHC) Justice Shahid Karim sought replies from the quarters concerned on a plea seeking a comprehensive report from PEMRA upon “why the PEMRA’s prohibition order on former prime minister Mian Nawaz Sharif’s speeches was being violated and what action has so far been taken yet”.
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 rendering role like silent spectators.
He argued that “judiciary and judges are our red line” and no one will be allowed to cross that line.
PEMRA had banned speeches, press talks and other activities of the court absconders adding constitutionally the speeches of that person who is court’s absconder could not be run on TV channels. But in Mian Nawaz Sharif’s case they observed that the PEMRA’s prohibition order is not being complied with letter and spirit, he argued.
He contended in that PEMRA rules also do not allow coverage of a court’s absconder. Live coverage of former prime minister Mian Nawaz Sharif on TV channels is sheer violation of the Constitution.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 14th, 2023.