Media accountability petition: SC orders freeze on Information ministry’s ‘secret account’

Hamid Mir, Absar Alam inform court that funds are being used for a secret agenda by influencing the media.

QUETTA: The Supreme Court Quetta registry ordered that the secret account of the information ministry should be frozen, while hearing an application moved by TV anchors Hamid Mir and Absar Alam, reported Express News on Thursday.

The account has been frozen till September 12 which is the next date of the hearing of the case.

During the hearing, the applicants told the two-judge bench that the funds of the information ministry were Rs2 billion last year which have now been increased to Rs4 billion. They added that the funds were being used for a “secret agenda” in an incorrect manner by influencing the media.

Justice Khilji Arif Hussain remarked that there was no need for a secret account as the budget of the information ministry should be open. He further asked the ministry to inform the court of its budget and mandate.

The bench maintained that it was compelled to pass an interim order in the case as the ministry, even after being given so much time, has not provided the court with any information.

The petition prays to the Supreme Court to form a commission that will be responsible for inquiring about the source of income of TV channel owners, advertising agencies and anchorpersons.