Lahore High Court (LHC) judge Justice Ijazul Hassan ordered on Tuesday that Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) is a regulatory body and is responsible for implementation of the Supreme Court’s judgment to restore transmission of Geo channels.
According to media reports, the LHC was hearing a petition filed by Independent Media Corporation (IMC) against PEMRA and cable operators who have shut Geo Group channels in most areas of the country despite the SC’s order to restore the transmission.
Justice Hassan said that cable operators will also obey the court’s order once PEMRA acts to enforce it.
He said that all cable operators are bound to follow PEMRA’s rules and regulations and the PEMRA can suspend their licenses if they refuse to implement its orders.
IMC’s counsel 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.
He said that the future of thousands of employees is at stake and the group is bearing losses to the tune of Rs30 million a day.
The LHC instructed IMC’s counsel to move the SC for the implementation of its orders.
The lawyer responded that even the LHC can issue the implementation order as per the Constitution.
Justice Hassan remarked that the lawyer can also move Islamabad High Court (IHC) as PEMRA has offices in the federal capital.
The IMC lawyer pleaded more time for additional arguments, after which the court adjourned the hearing till next week.