Anti-judge banners, posters in Islamabad irk SC
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ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Director General Intelligence Bureau (IB) and Secretary Interior to investigate objectionable banners and posters on the roads of federal capital against Justice Jawwad S. Khawaja and submit a detailed report in 24 hours.
The two-member bench comprising Justice Khawaja and Justice Gulzar Ahmed resumed hearing of a petition filed by the Independent Media Corporation (IMC) on behalf of Geo Network against negative propaganda by other TV channels and to resume its transmission on cable TV networks.
The court remarked that if unknown people can post banners in the red zone of the federal capital then they can do some other dangerous work which could be harmful for the country.
During the course of proceedings, Akram Shaikh – the counsel for Geo TV – told the court that cable operators have suspended the transmission of the troubled news channel in more than 90 per cent areas of the country.
The Supreme Court in its order on August 13, 2012 clearly mentioned that cable operators cannot block transmission of any channel without approval of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regularity Authority (Pemra), he added.
He pleaded the court to accept his petition and issue direction to restore the channel’s transmission as the court in its previous order did not issue clear guidelines for cable operators.
On this, Justice Gulzar remarked that the review petition was disposed of after receiving reports of restoration of the TV channel transmission.
Ibrahim Satti, the counsel for Pemra informed the court that the media regulatory body was bound to follow the previous order of the court and was implementing the court order in its true spirit.
Zahid Malik, the legal head for Pemra assured the court that the 2012 decision would be implemented.
Under the 2012 decision, cable operators cannot block channels without their licence being cancelled or suspended by Pemra.
Pemra officials informed the court that action would be taken against those who removed channels.
Later, the court adjourned the hearing till May 28.
