Pakistan

SC calls for transcript of PTV programme

PTV aired a programme which was against the apex court’s verdict and was an “obvious contempt of court”.

Express August 18, 2010

ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry directed on Tuesday the federation to produce the transcript of a contemptuous programme of PTV that was aired on Aug 13 after the Supreme Court ruled in a case of closure of private TV channels which covered an incident involving shoe-hurling at President Asif Ali Zardari in Birmingham last week.

Akram Sheikh, the counsel for president of the ARY group Dr Shahid Masud, apprised the court that PTV had aired a programme on the said date which was against the apex court’s verdict, contending it was an “obvious contempt of court”.

The chief justice also directed the chairman of Pemra, secretary information, chief secretaries and inspector-generals of all provinces to submit a detailed reply upon the imposition of illegal ban on private TV channels.

The bench also observed irregularities and misconduct on part of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) in issuance of licences to cable operators.

“Time has now come to send you behind the bars for making contradictory and false statements before the court,” the chief justice observed.

He also observed that prima facie Information Secretary Anwar Sohail Mansoor also committed a contempt of court by allowing PTV to telecast a programme against the court’s decision. The case was adjourned till Aug 24.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 18^th, 2010.

COMMENTS (8)

hakeem | 14 years ago | Reply @Sindh.... bravo man well said i am no supporter of this goverment but Clown Judges are also some kind of Sultan Rahis look at remarks "Time has now come to send you behind bars" haha only gandasa missing

Usman | 14 years ago | Reply Refreshing to know that PTV is finally being held responsible for airing nonsense and misinformation for so many years. Hats off to the Supreme Court for holding people accountable for their actions and words, something NAB should be doing at least once every few years.

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Hamza | 14 years ago | Reply There is only one solution-suppor the APML and President Musharraf for a second stint. We need him back!!

Sindh | 14 years ago | Reply Saif - by same analogy Apple for selling more expensive mobiles than others are culprits - what are you driving at? PTV charges more because it has larger audience - apple charges more because they have a better product- we'd all want cheap iphones and advertisement rights, but life isn't fair boo hoo! Sabiha - what does that have to with the decision by court? lets review this. Court has allowed two private channels, closed earlier for violating PEMRA code, because it goes against freedom of speech - fair enough Now they want to fine Ptv for allegedly committing contempt of court - then PTV has no freedom of speech? court can review decisions by government, who'd check if court's decisions have been on merit?

Saif | 14 years ago | Reply For every one's good information over here: Pakistan Television is a terrestrial network and not just a TV channel, and is still the most watched network in Pakistan with biggest span of networks. Further, its advertisement rates are still higher than any other private TV channel operating in Pakistan, which certainly makes it a culprit king!

Farhan | 14 years ago | Reply **@Shahryar Ahmed:** You do have a point, there is a huge backlog of cases for the judiciary to deal with. There must be an ulterior motive for them to prioritise the ones regarding the current govt such as NRO, corruption and media freedom. Its not like these cases have the most significant impact on country's day-to-day running. Lets deal with the petty criminals first, how dare that hungry man steal the landowners's chicken?! Off with his head!

Shahryar Ahmed | 14 years ago | Reply Like there is credible voices coming out of country's courts? The decisions are highly biased towards too quiet some extent towards the govt. I am no supporter of this govt. but I am a supporter of unbiased behavior, presently is what coming out of these so called independent judges desk are political, populace based & biased decisions. Law can not be swayed by public opinion, if so then it looses it’s sense. I will see if the same independent judges talk the same talk when & if Nawaz Sharif (god Forbid) comes to power. Why is all decisions taken in Punjab are Government friendly? Think!!!! All Hail Democracy & Independent Judiciary!!!!!

sabiha | 14 years ago | Reply The actions of the present government defy all logic.Their reactions to all sensible suggestions or decisions are defensive,abusive,childish,peevish,illogical.Who watches PTV anyway?There is not a single credible voice in this government.

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