LAHORE - The Lahore High Court yesterday directed Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) to submit its reply in a petition challenging the exhibition of re-enacted crime stories on TV channels.
Ishtiaq Ch, in his petition, submitted that re-enactment of the real crime stories had been leaving a negative impact in the society especially on young generation. He stated almost all television channels had started dramatising the incidents of crime, which is in sheer violation of PEMRA laws.
The petitioner requested the court to order a complete ban on dramas based on crime stories as they were misguiding the youth. After hearing arguments of the petitioner-lawyer, Chief Justice Ijazul Ahsan issued notice to PEMRA and sought reply. The hearing has been adjourned for two weeks.
In another case, the LHC gave an opportunity to Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan (ICAP) to withdraw its circular that deprives foreign qualified accountants of Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) from having training at organisations registered with the former.
Safwan Salim, a student of ACCA, filed a petition through Advocate Sheraz Zaka and submitted that ICAP has been exploiting its regulatory powers to attract students and damage the market share of ACCA. The counsel argued that there should be a level playing field in accountancy profession.
During the course of hearing, the judge asked the ICAP counsel to ensure withdrawal of the circular by April 7 or the court would issue a direction. The judge gave an opportunity to the ICAP to withdraw its circular.
‘Child labours for Orange Line’: The Lahore High Court yesterday issued notice to Director General of Child Protection Welfare Bureau in a petition seeking direction for elimination of child labour across the province.
Justice Shujaat Ali Khan heard the petition and adjourned hearing till May 4 with directives for a law officer to file comments in this matter of public importance.
Advocate Sheraz Zaka argued that children less than sixteen years of age had been employed in Orange Line Metro Train project, signal free corridor project and in brick kilns.
He further contended that children were being exploited in the industrial area and also being used for begging which was a violation article 25 of Constitution which states that children up to 16 years will attend school.
He stated that Pakistan was signatory of international labour convention, which prohibited from engaging children less than 16 years in workplaces. He prayed to the court to order the governments to stop child labour in the country.
release of 39 kiln workers: The Lahore High Court on Wednesday ordered release of 39 kiln workers, including women and children, who were recovered from a kiln in Mandi Bahauddin.
Justice Muhammad Tariq Abbasi passed these orders while hearing a habeas corpus petition filed by Bashir Ahmad, a relative of workers, for their production and release.
Earlier, a bailiff produced the kiln workers before the court after recovering them from illegal custody of brick kiln owner Asif. The bailiff reported that the workers had been detained by the kiln owner.
At this, the court ordered to release all workers ,including women and children. The court also ordered police concerned to take action against kiln owner as per law.
The petitioner through his petition alleged that the respondent owner was extracting forced labour from the workers. He prayed the court to issue orders for their production and release.