IHC issues notices for ‘ridiculing’ judicial system

ISLAMABAD: Justice Aamer Farooq of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) here on Tuesday issued notices to several government departments concerning print and electronic media in a petition challenging alleged maligning of the judicial system and superior court judges at print and electronic media.

An IHC bench issued notices to Ministry of Information Technology, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra), All Pakistan Newspaper Society (APNS), Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA), Pakistan Press Foundation and the Counsel of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE), directing them to submit reply within a fortnight.

A petitioner Sardar Shahbaz Khosa son of Sardar Latif Khosa contended in the petition that responsible institutions may be questioned that why print, electronic and social media is allowed to expose state institutions to ridicule in violation of licence of broadcast.

Judgments of superior judiciary being intentionally targeted to malign the whole judicial system and superior court judges and ruling elite of the country is ridiculing the judicial system of Pakistan and exposing it to mockery, the petitioner said.

Speeches containing contemptuous remarks about the judiciary are being live telecasted while regulatory bodies playing no role at all. He has prayed the court to direct respondents to act in accordance with law to ensure implementation of laws, conditions of licences, code of ethics or responsible journalism.