ISLAMABAD, Dec 18: The Supreme Court on Tuesday served notices on the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra), the federal government and the attorney-general on petitions against ban on Geo News television channel.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar, Justice Mohammad Nawaz Abbasi and Justice Mian Hamid Farooq has taken up the petitions moved by the Independent Media Corporation and Birds (Pvt) Ltd against curbs on the channel. The proceedings were adjourned till Jan 1.

The petitioners’ counsel Mohammad Ali Mazhar pleaded that the court should entertain the petitions under Article 184 (3) of the Constitution which stood restored along with the fundamental rights. Moments before the proclamation of a state of emergency on Nov 3, all private television channels were put off air. Later, the Pemra Ordinance was amended and the transmission was restored after getting assurance from almost all the private channels, except Geo News. The Sindh High Court had dismissed the petitions as not maintainable since fundamental rights were suspended under emergency rule.