Journalists’ accreditation: LHC directs PCB to resolve issue

ISLAMABAD: Islamabad High Court (IHC) has directed the respondents to resolve the matter of journalists’ accreditation for Test matches in Rawalpindi.

Justice Abdul Sattar of IHC took up for hearing the case against not issuing the accreditation cards to the journalists Thursday The court remarked if these journalists had been covering the series in the past then how their accreditation can be stopped.

Senior lawyer Abdul Wahid Qureshi appeared on behalf of the journalists. Counsel for PCB told the court that PCB gave accreditation to 118 media persons in connection with Rawalpindi Test match but it was not given to 70 journalists including the petitioners. There is capacity for only such number of journalists in Rawalpindi stadium media box, said the PCB counsel.

Justice Babar Sattar inquired who decided the 118 journalists whom accreditation would be given. Taffazul Hussain Rizvi, counsel for PCB, told the court the matter of not issuing accreditation has nothing to do with criticism on PCB. There is an issue of security clearance in respect of the journalists who have not been given accreditation, he said.

Taffazul assured the court PCB will find out solution to this issue. Justice Babar Sattar remarked PCB should resolve this issue on its own and file report with court next week. The hearing of the case was adjourned till September 10.