–CJP says those using women to protest against SC verdict should be ‘honourable enough’ to lead from the front
–Bench replaces Marriyam Aurangzeb with info secy in seven-member committee
ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar on Monday said that the Supreme Court (SC) wants the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) to become an independent institution, free of the government’s control.
During the hearing of the media commission case, the CJP said that this issue should be resolved soon, however, “there is no sword hanging over the government regarding this”.
During the hearing, Additional Attorney General (AAG) Rana Waqar told the SC that the government has formed a seven-member committee, including prominent journalists and the chairman of the Pakistan Broadcasters Association. The committee includes Pakistan Today Editor Arif Nizami.
According to details, the committee will form a three-member panel to select the head of PEMRA. Responding to the CJP’s concerns, the AAG assured that the task will be completed within three weeks.
The court also replaced State Minister for Information Marriyum Aurangzeb with the information secretary in the committee, as according to the court, the state minister appears to be busy “giving statements” and will have “difficulty taking time out for the committee”.
The CJP also asked what has been done to amend PEMRA laws. Justice Sheikh Azmat questioned if there was any clause regulating fake news.
“This is a pressing issue. Malaysia has made publication of fake news an offence,” the SC judge said to which Rana said it was imperative to curb the proliferation of such information.
During the hearing of the case, the chief justice remarked that people were made to raise anti-judiciary slogans following the court’s decision to place lifetime ban on politicians disqualified from holding public office under Article 62.
The verdict ruled that persons disqualified under Article 62 (1)(f), including former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, can never contest elections again.
“I don’t know any lion. These are the real lions,” the chief justice observed pointing towards fellow judges, adding that, “respect should be shown [to us] equal to that given to elders”.
The ruling party’s electoral symbol is a lion.
Referring to the judiciary’s critics, Chief Justice Nisar added that “they take shelter behind women but if they had any honour they would appear in front themselves”.
Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed observed that the media’s independence is conditional on the judiciary, explaining that if the judiciary is weak then the media will be too.
During the hearing, the AAG stated that they are aware that the issues raised by the chief justice will be concluded by him before leaving office.
The chief justice responded that this case was not initiated by him but he will conclude it.
Justice Saeed remarked that sometimes to close cases one has to ‘close’ people too.
The hearing was then adjourned for two weeks.
The media commission case is based on petitions filed by senior journalists Hamid Mir and Absar Alam in 2013 regarding issues faced by the media and the government’s use of ‘secret funds’ to influence media.
Alam was later appointed the PEMRA chairman but removed last year on the orders of the Lahore High Court.
