SC issues notice to Pemra chief for false statement

ISLAMABAD - The Supreme Court on Tuesday issued a show cause notice to Chairman Pakistan Electronic Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) for making false statements before the apex court regarding illegal closure of private TV channels. The court also directed the PEMRA Chairman to submit a report regarding the broadcast of illegal transmission of some local as well as foreign channels on October 4 and directed the Secretary Information to look into the matter. While observing the irregularities and negligence on the part of the regularity Authority, which is causing a huge revenue lose to the national exchequer, the court asked the PEMRA Chairman to furnish the complete profile of the cable operators who were not paying their licence fee. A three-member bench, headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and comprising Justice Ghulam Rabbani and Justice Khalil-ur-Rehman Ramday, was hearing the case of suspension of private TV channels service for covering an event of shoe hurling on President Asif Ali Zardari during his recent visit to UK. During the course of proceedings, the Chief Justice remarked, Prima facie Chairman PEMRA made a false statement to undermine the authority of this court which comes under contempt of court act. In their written replies, Inspectors General Police Sindh and Punjab denied registration of any case in their respective provinces regarding worse law and order situation or damages to the cable operators. Advocate General Sindh Yousaf Laghari had filed a reply on behalf of PPO Sindh denying the PEMRA Chairmans statement wherein it was mentioned that prior to the date no FIR was registered except one FIR at 8:15pm on 13th of August after passing this order of the Supreme Court. PTV submitted the details of programme before the court in written form, however, the court found no contempt of court material in the programmes content. Khalid Anwar, the counsel for cable operators, pleaded that due to pressure on cable operators the transmission of the TV channels was suspended. An action should be taken against those running TV channels without paying the broadcasting licence fee, the CJP said.

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