Justice Aamer Farooq directed the federation, Ministry of Information & Technology, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA), All Pakistan Newspaper Society (APNS), Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (PBA), Pakistan Press Foundation and the Counsel of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) to submit a reply within a fortnight. PEMRA blocks all TV channelsPetitioner Sardar Shahbaz Khosa has requested the court to issue directions to regulate broadcasts and control contemptuous content exposure. He added that the respondents should be summoned to explain why the print, electronic and social media is allowed to ridicule state institutions, whereby also violating the license of broadcast. In addition, he said that live telecasts of supercilious political speeches—that have no check and balance of content—has irreparably damaged the judiciary. The petitioner also said that airing unchecked content simply highlights the irresponsibility of state institutions while also ridiculing the judiciary and the Supreme Court.

Source: The Express Tribune December 26, 2017 13:18 UTC