IHC rejects ARY TV’s request for stay against fine

ISLAMABAD: Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb of Islamabad High Court (IHC) Thursday turned down ARY’s request to issue a stay order regarding imposition of Rs100,000 fine on the channel by Pemra for inviting the army to take the charge, through a programme ‘Sawal Yeh Ha’.

The IHC bench observed that it could not issue a stay order in a matter without hearing from the other side and issued notices to the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) seeking its reply.

Legal counsel for the channel told the court that the time period for depositing fine was ending today and the court should grant a stay order. The IHC bench directed the petitioner to deposit the fine amount and it would decide on the matter after hearing both sides.

The bench asked the counsel to point out flaws in the Pemra’s decision. At which the lawyer said the fine was imposed on the basis of a complaint and the complainant had distorted the facts.

The channel on May 3 filed the appeal against the Pemra’s Council of Complaints (CoC) decision to impose fine. Before Pemra one Shanila Sikandar, a resident of E-11, had filed a complaint saying that ‘Sawal Yeh Hai’ anchorperson Dr Danish openly invited the army chief to take over the country and conduct accountability of the politicians.