Comprehensive reply from Chairman Pemra, others sought

ISLAMABAD - After observing irregularities and misconduct on the part of Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) in the issuance of licences to cable operators, Supreme Court Tuesday called comprehensive reply from Chairman PEMRA, Secretary Information and Chief Secretaries and Inspectors Generals of all four provinces regarding illegal closure of private TV channels. A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry was hearing the petitions against closure of TV channels that were covering shoe-hurling incident of President Asif Ali Zardari in Birmingham. The court also directed to produce the transcript of a contemptuous programme of Pakistan Television (PTV) that was on aired after Supreme Courts 13th August decision. Akram Sheikh, counsel for Dr Shahid Masood, appraised the court that after 13th August judgment of the apex court, PTV aired a programme against the courts judgment. In his remarks, Chief Justice observed that prima facie Secretary Information Anwar Sohail Mansoor did contempt of court by allowing PTV to on air a programme against courts decision. The court also asked the Chairman PEMRA that the time has come to send him behind the bars for making contradictory and false statements before the court into the said case. Khalid Anwar, counsel for All Pakistan Cable Association, told the bench that transmission of TV channels was discontinued on the directives of Bilawal House Karachi. While defending the cable operators, Anwar said that after receiving threatening phone calls and attacks on the offices of cable operators in which heavy damages occurred, the cable association under the fear of ruling PPP had discontinued the transmission of two private TV channels. He said that IG Sindh made false statement that there was no case and not FIR of attacks on cable operators offices was reported. Khalid Anwar asked the bench that appropriate time might be given him so that he could produce the complete details of FIRs and cases registered against unknown attackers who caused heavy damages. The bench observed that the licence of WORLDCALL was in the name of Suleman Taseer, similarly the other three such respondents cable operators were issued licences but the specific persons were not available. The court observed that each and every person was responsible and the court would not go behind the companies. Additional Attorney General KK Agha appeared before court on the behalf of Chairman PEMRA and Secretary Information and told the bench that the government believed on freedom of expression and free media. Justice Ramday remarked, We have already read such statements in the newspapers. KK Agha could not satisfy the court for odd conduct on the part of Chairman PEMRA. Ahmad Owaise appeared on the behalf of Royal TV and complained against WORLDCALL for discontinuing its transmissions. On that the court directed PEMRA to immediately restore the services of Royal news. The court adjourned the case till 24th August.