KARACHI, Aug 28: The Sindh High Court adjourned the hearing of three petitions against the new Pakistan Electronic Media Authority Ordinance to Sept 25 for framing issues involved.

Deputy Attorney-General Rizwan A. Siddiqui sought time for filing comments and petitioner Iqbal Kazmi for filing a rejoinder to the Pemra reply.

Chief Justice Sabiuddin Ahmed and Justice Faisal Arab, who constituted the division bench seized of the petitions, granted the requests and asked Advocate Mustafa Lakhani, who is arguing the main petition moved by Sindh Bar Council members Salahuddin Gandapur and Mohammad Aqil, to specify the violative provisions of the ordinance.

The third petition has been moved by Advocate Shahadat Awan on behalf of the People’s Lawyers Forum. He was represented by Advocate Adnan Karim.

Advocate Lakhani said the new ordinance impinged on the freedom of expression ensured by Article 19 of the constitution. The bench remarked that it was easy to alleged violations but difficult to specify them. The lawyer said the provisions empowering Pemra to seize equipment and seal office premises of a television channel for its failure to comply with any instruction issued by the authority was clearly repugnant to Article 19.

Pemra counsel Nasir Ayaz and Kashif Hanif said the ordinance had already been placed before the Senate for debate and discussion.