LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Friday sought replies from the federal government and the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) on a petition seeking enforcement of the law against broadcasting television debate on sub judice matters.

Justice Shahid Karim heard initial arguments of the petitioner’s counsel and directed a deputy attorney general to seek instructions from the government and Pemra within three weeks.

Advocate MH Mujahid filed the petition seeking enforcement of the Pemra Ordinance 2002, with effect to restriction on television channels to broadcast any programme or discussion on matter sub judice before a court of law.

Petitioner’s counsel AK Dogar argued that that it was a universally accepted principle that when a case was pending in court, whether subordinate or superior, the matter was said to be sub judice.

However, he said, in Pakistan news anchors daily acted like judges and the participants of their programmes argued like lawyers. He said even the remarks made by judges were subjected to criticism during the shows .

The counsel stated that section 20 clause (n) of the Pemra Ordinance says: “Not broadcast any programme or discussion on a matter which is sub judice.”

He asked the court to order the Pemra to enforce its law and stop all television channels from holding programmes on sub judice matters.

Drone Cameras: The Lahore High Court on Friday directed the Punjab government to furnish notifications regarding ban on media coverage of public gatherings through drone camera.

Justice Shams Mahmood Mirza was hearing a petition filed by Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf MPA Shoaib Siddiqui challenging the government’s ban.

The petitioner through his counsel contended that the provincial government issued three notifications banning coverage of public meetings through modern devices such as drone camera.

He said the restriction had been imposed without seeking approval from the deputy commissioners concerned.

The petitioner asked the court to declare the impugned notifications illegal and unlawful.

The judge heard the contention and directed a provincial law officer to present the copies of the impugned notifications on May 8.

Published in Dawn, May 6th, 2017