Violating altaf ban: LHC asks PEMRA to list actions taken against channels

LAHORE:

The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday directed Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) to submit comprehensive details of action taken against TV stations for airing news about Altaf Hussain on October 5 despite a blanket ban on any coverage of the MQM chief’s speeches, imposed earlier by the court.

Pemra’s acting chairman Kamaludin Tipu appeared before a full bench and said show-cause notices had already been issued to all channels violating the court’s order, adding that the media houses had been asked to submit an explanation within two weeks.

The bench adjourned the hearing of the petitions till Nov 11 and directed Pemra’s acting chairman to submit details of the actions, other than the show-cause, taken against the news channels for violating the ban.

The bench also sought a clear reply on the status of the MQM chief’s nationality.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 17^th, 2015.