SC seeks parties’ views on Media Commission recommendations

Hamid Mir says except appointment of permanent Pemra chairman, no recommendation implemented yet

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Wednesday adjourned for two weeks, hearing in the Media Commission recommendations implementation case, directing the parties to inform it about their viewpoints and appear before it well prepared on the next date of hearing to proceed further in the instant matter.

A two-member bench of the apex court comprising Justice Ijaz Afzal Khan and Justice Qazi Faez Isa resumed hearing in the Media Commission recommendations implementation case.

Hamid Mir, the petitioner while appearing before the court submitted that except for appointment of a permanent Chairman for Pakistan Electronic Media Regulator Authority (Pemra), the recommendations given by the Media Commission were not yet implemented in letter and spirit.

Additional Attorney General Aamir Rehman however, told the court that a committee was constituted for the implementation of recommendations of the media commission which was working on it.

Barrister Aitizaz Ahsan, counsel for Pakistan Broadcasters Association informed the court that their role was to formulate code of conduct which was accomplished with the consensus of the parties concerned hence they have no further role to play adding that its now the job of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) to abide by the code of conduct.

He further said that now they have no further business with the instant matter. Justice Ijaz Afzal Khan however, told the learned counsel that the role of Pakistan Broadcasters Association has not come to an end as he said that still the recommendations, given by the Media Commission were not implemented.

The court is yet to see as to what other matters were still to resolve”, Justice Ijaz Afzal observed. Barrister Aitizaz Ahsan then sought permission from the court to examine the recommendations, given by the Media Commission and said that he would give his view point on the next date of hearing.

Meanwhile, the court directed the parties concerned to give their viewpoint on the next date of hearing and further directed to come well prepared for further proceedings with the instant matter and adjourned the hearing for two weeks.