SHC suspends Pemra’s ban on Geo programme Inam Ghar

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court on Tuesday suspended the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority’s three days of ban on the Geo TV programme Inam Ghar till further orders.

The interim order came on a miscellaneous appeal filed by the Independent Media Corporation against Pemra’s June 27 press release in which it banned the broadcasting of the Geo TV programme Inam Ghar, being hosted by renowned anchor Dr Amir Liquat Hussain for three days.

The petitioner's counsel, Jam Asif Mehmood, submitted that the appellant belongs to one of the Pakistan’s largest conglomerates that own various TV channels of Pakistan known as the Geo TV network. Also, its associated companies own several leading newspapers known as the Jang group, whereas their newspapers daily Jang and The News International and  associated TV channels have been actively involved in the field of journalism and broadcasting national and international news, articles and interviews and considered as the most reliable source of information by the public at large.

He submitted that Inam Ghar was one of the recent programmes of the appellant in its Ramzan transmission, which was hosted by renowned anchor and Islamic scholar Dr. Amir Liquat Hussain and the programme highlights some social issues prevailing in the society and question-answer with the audience and distribution of gift hampers to participating audience.

The counsel submitted that Pemra on June 14 issued a show cause notice to the appellant regarding its programme Inam Ghar and alleged violation of Section 20(C ) of Pemra Ordinance and relevant rules.

The court was informed that the appellant responded to the show cause notice and requested for time and to provide the details of all the complaints with their contents and identity so that the appellant may furnish a comprehensive reply to the show cause notice.

However, he submitted that no such details and relevant material have been supplied by the respondent to the appellant so far. He submitted that a representative of the appellant has approached the Pemra complaint council and requested 15 days time to furnish a comprehensive reply whereas the council agreed for such an extension of time and advised the representative of the appellant to furnish such reply on the third day of Eid as reflected in the impugned press release. However, the counsel submitted that Pemra contrary to it suspended the broadcasting of Inam Ghar for three days till June 30. He submitted that neither any proper order had been issued by the respondent authority in terms of Pemra Ordinance nor the appellant has been provided an opportunity to explain its position whereas in utter violation of the law and rules, the impugned press release has been issued, which amounts to condemn the appellant unheard and deprive the appellant from right to free trial.

It was submitted that the impugned show cause notice and press release issued by the respondent was malafide intention and ulterior motives and the same be declared as illegal. The Pemra counsel undertook to file power and submitted that the required material was supplied to the appellant on June 22 and the appellant had committed violation of terms and condition of the license.

The SHC’s single bench, headed by Justice Shahnawaz Tariq, observed that the contention raised by the appellant counsel requires consideration. The court issued notices to Pemra and deputy attorney general for July 4 and in the meantime suspended the operation of PEMRA press release directing three days of ban on Inam Ghar till the next date of hearing.