Anti-judiciary speeches: LHC orders Pemra to strictly enforce its code of conduct

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Thursday directed the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) to strictly enforce the laws pertaining to ban on airing anti-judiciary and anti-armed forces speeches and content.

Justice Mamoon Rashid issued this order while hearing a petition against the alleged anti-judiciary speeches delivered by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and 15 other PML-N leaders after Nawaz’s disqualification in the Panama Papers case judgment. Other respondents in the petition include Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif, Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique, Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Senator Nehal Hashmi, Senator Pervaiz Rashid, MNA Talal Chaudhry, State Minister for Information Marriyum Aurangzeb, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Law Minister Rana Sanaullah.

Directing Pemra to ensure the implementation of Pemra Ordinance 2002, Rules 2009 and media code of conduct 2015, Justice Sheikh also sought a reply from Pemra Chairman Absar Alam by September 12.

The petitioner, Amina Malik, head of a civil society organisation, argued through her counsel Advocate Azhar Siddique that the respondent leaders of the ruling PML-N had been openly using ‘contemptuous’ language against the Supreme Court judges who disqualified Nawaz and ordered the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to file references against the Sharif family.

He said Pemra had failed to exercise its jurisdiction as assigned under Article 19, 19-A read with Pemra Ordinance 2002, rules and code of conduct for media.  The lawyer said it was the duty of the federal and provincial governments to respect and honour the judiciary and other state institutions.

He said the respondent leaders, including members of federal and provincial cabinets, were on a wrong track by attacking the Supreme Court in response to the Panama Papers case judgment which amounted to an attack on independence of the judiciary.

Azhar urged the court to issue an appropriate direction to Pemra to stop airing and telecasting the alleged contemptuous, derogatory and defamatory speeches made by Nawaz and others against the apex court judges.

During the hearing, federal and provincial law officers objected to maintainability of the petition, calling it without substance. They said there had been not violation of the law as alleged in the petition.

They pointed out that issued raised in the instant petition were already sub judice before the Supreme Court. Justice Sheikh adjourned hearing till September 12, seeking a reply from the Pemra chairman and directed him to ensure compliance of the Pemra Ordinance 2002, its rules of 2009 and media code of conduct 2015.