ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has issued its detailed verdict on Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA), comprising of five pages. The verdict suspends the show-cause notices issued to three PEMRA members and cancels today’s meeting – ARY News reports.
The IHC in its detailed verdict suspended show-cause notices issued to Israr Abbasi, Mian Shams and Fariha Iftikhar by the Ministry of Information. The court declared PEMRA meeting of May 20, legal and in accordance with the PEMRA ordinance, while it also cancelled today's meeting.
The IHC stated that the appointment of a member of PEMRA's executive body upon PM orders, is also illegal, for appointing a Grade-20 officer instead of Grade-21 is a violation of PEMRA rules.
An explanation was also sought from the Ministry of Information, over the appointment of Kamaluddin as member of executive body.
The Deputy Attorney General asked for granting time to file the answer, while the court remarked that the Federation violated the Rules of Business 1973 and PEMRA ordinance, by interfering into PEMRA rules.
The three private members of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA), Mian Shams, Fariha Iftikhar and Israr Abbasi had consulted the Islamabad High Court (IHC) yesterday, on the issue of show-cause notices served to them for giving a decision against Geo TV.
The members had stated that they are being victimized for giving a justified decision on Geo TV issue.
They had also taken the stance that tomorrow's meeting of PEMRA is illegal, while the Ministry of Information issued show-cause notices to them in contradiction with the rules and regulations.
