PEMRA bound to implement SC’s order: LHC

LAHORE: Justice Ijazul Hassan of Lahore High Court (LHC) ordered on Tuesday that Pakistan Electronic Media Regularity Authority (PEMRA) is a regulatory body and it is its responsibility to implement Supreme Court’s judgment in letter and spirit, Geo News reported.

The LHC was hearing the petition today filed by the Independent Media Corporation (IMC) against PEMRA and cable operators who have shut Geo channels unlawfully in most areas of the country despite SC’s order to restore the transmission.

Justice Ijazul Hassan remarked that cable operators will also obey the court’s order once PEMRA act to enforce it. He said that all the cable operators are bound to follow PEMRA’s rules and regulations.

Furthermore, Justice Ijaz stated that cable operators cannot defy PEMRA’s rules and regulations as the latter can suspend their licenses if they refuse to implement its orders.

The lawyer representing the IMC informed the bench that the apex court had ordered PEMRA to follow the 2012 ruling for restoring Geo transmission but the authority is not implementing the court’s orders.

The lawyer further told that the future of thousands of employees is at stake and the group is bearing losses to the tune of Rs30 million every day.

The LHC instructed the IMC lawyer to move the Supreme Court for the implementation of its orders. On this, the lawyer responded that even the LHC can issue implementation order as per the Constitution.

Justice Ijazul Hassan remarked that the lawyer can also move Islamabad High Court (IHC) as PEMRA has offices in the Federal Capital.

The IMC lawyer, then, pleaded for more time for additional arguments after which the court adjourned the hearing till next week.