Ministry barred from TV fee without service

The Lahore High Court on Tuesday restrained ministry of information and broadcasting from levying TV fee on electricity consumers who did not possess television sets.

Justice Abid Aziz Sheikh issued the order disposing of a public interest petition challenging the levy of TV fee in the electricity bills. Opposition Leader in Punjab Assembly Mian Mehmoodur Rasheed had filed the petition through Advocate Sheraz Zaka. The counsel argued that TV fee was also being recovered through electricity bills sent to mosques, graveyards and even on citizens who did not have television sets.

He said the impugned fee had been imposed in violation of fundamental rights of citizens. He alleged that revenue recovered through TV fee had been utilised for running advertisements campaign of the government, which was unjust enrichment. —Correspondent