Channel 24: Court sets a new date for hearing
Lahore, 28th October: The court has given a new date to PEMRA for the closure of Channel 24 and other channels.
Baaghi TV: The Lahore High Court heard petitions filed by PEMRA against the closure of Channel 24 and other channels. The larger bench adjourned the hearing on the petitions till November 4.
Before a larger bench, Saad Rasool, a lawyer for a channel, argued for PEMRA’s unlimited powers and said that an appeal could be filed in the Lahore High Court against any move by PEMRA.
Advocate Saad Rasool said that nowhere in the law was it written that an appeal would be filed in the Islamabad High Court against any move of PEMRA.
Under Article 199, the Lahore High Court has wide jurisdiction to hear. As PEMRA is a federal body, an appeal may be filed in the Lahore High Court against its decision.
If the channel exists in Lahore, an appeal will be filed in the High Court here.
This channel is headquartered in Lahore. In such a case, an appeal will be filed in the Lahore High Court against any action taken by PEMRA. PEMRA cannot be empowered to take action against the channel from wherever it wants.
Every act or action of PEMRA is a decision which is challenged in the Lahore High Court. It is not necessary to go to the Islamabad High Court against any action of PEMRA.
PEMRA’s principal office is in Islamabad while its other offices are in different provinces. Nowhere in the law is it written that it is necessary to go to the Islamabad High Court against any action of PEMRA. PEMRA can call a meeting anywhere in Pakistan against its decision. ۔
Every move of PEMRA can be challenging. PEMRA licenses are issued under section 18. PEMRA can suspend the license of any channel under section 30A of its law. If something goes wrong in a program, PEMRA 30A will take action.
Under Article 199, the Lahore High Court has unlimited powers. Under Article 199, the Lahore High Court can hear the case of an aggrieved citizen of any institution. Can hear the case
If the Lahore High Court deems it appropriate, it may ask the citizen to approach the Islamabad High Court. The courts interpret the law within their jurisdiction. Under 175 (2), the jurisdiction of the Lahore High Court may be determined.
Shehzad Shaukat had apologized for appearing as a judicial assistant as he was a lawyer for Seven News. PEMRA GM Tahir Tarrar appeared before the bench. The larger bench heard the petitions of Channel 24, Seven News, Royal News and others. All the petitions have sought to determine the jurisdiction of the court. The petitions have challenged the jurisdiction of PEMRA.
A larger bench headed by Justice Amir Bhatti and comprising Justice Shams Mehmood Mirza and Justice Sajid Mehmood Sethi heard the petition. A larger bench was recommended by Mr Justice Sajid Mehmood Sethi. On the contrary, show cause notices have been issued on the illegal move of the news channel to start broadcasting.
It was requested that the court suspend the implementation of PEMRA’s notice and allow the petitioner channel to broadcast.
