Despite the decision from PEMRA, a response is being sought for the petition against Nawaz Sharif’s statements. Advocate Azhar Siddique claims that political parties are scandalizing the judiciary while PEMRA is playing the role of a spectator.
In response to a request for a thorough report from the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) on “why the authority’s prohibition order on former prime minister Mian Nawaz Sharif’s speeches is being violated and what action has so far been taken,” Justice Shahid Karim of the Lahore High Court on Monday sought responses from concerned parties.
Azhar Siddique, the solicitor for petitioner Munir Ahmed, pleaded with the court as the hearings got underway, saying that while politicians from other political parties are scandalising the judiciary, Pemra is merely acting as a bystander. He said that no one would be permitted to cross the line that he had drawn between the judiciary and judges.
He said that Pemra had outlawed speeches, press conferences, and other actions by absconders and added that, per the constitution, such speeches could not be broadcast on TV.
Azhar claimed that the restriction order issued by the Pemra is not being followed in text and spirit.
In addition, he added, live coverage of the former prime minister on TV networks was a clear breach of the Constitution and the Pemra’s decision that had forbidden his coverage. He claimed that the Pemra guidelines do not permit coverage of a court’s absconder either.
He pleaded with the court to grant the current application and to kindly request that Pemra provide a thorough report on why the prohibition order was broken and the steps that have been done thus far to address it.
In the interests of justice, equity, and fair play, he asked the court to issue instructions for the enforcement of Article 10-A in letter and spirit.
