The Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled that the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) chairman did not have the authority to suspend licences of media channels.
“Pemra chairman’s authority to suspend the broadcast media licence is not legally valid therefore, it is declared null and void,” a nine-page judgment authored by Justice Muneeb Akhtar said.
“Section 13 of the Pemra Ordinance makes it clear that the chairman or any other person cannot suspend the licence,” the court said. “There are conditions for suspending a broadcast media licence,” it added.
According to the judgment, it was not clear as to who in Pemra had the authority to suspend the broadcast media licence.
In the 156th meeting, Pemra delegated powers, including suspension of licence, to its chairman. The Sindh High Court (SHC) had ordered Pemra to frame rules for suspension of licence.
The Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA) had challenged Pemra chairman's authority. The Supreme Court decided in favour of the PBA and upheld the decision of the SHC.
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