06 March 2004	Saturday	14 Muharram 1425

KARACHI, March 5: Pakistan Herald Publications (Pvt) Limited have filed a constitutional petition against the Federation of Pakistan and the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) before the Sindh High Court at Karachi in which they have challenged the qualifications that have been prescribed for eligible applicants for the grant of a licence to establish satellite television broadcast station.

It has been contended on behalf of Pakistan Herald Publications that the constitutional right of freedom of press does not permit Pemra to deny a broadcast licence to a person for the sole reason that they are owners or publishers of print media.

It has also been urged before the court that the Pemra rules prescribing such a requirement are in conflict with the Pemra Ordinance itself. PHPL has submitted that the federal minister of information had announced a federal cabinet decision in which the ban imposed by Pemra against print media owning or operating television channels had been lifted.

On February 28, a division bench of the Sindh High Court issued pre-admission notice to the Federation and Pemra and on March 4, counsel for the Federation sought two weeks' time to file a counter affidavit.