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Summary The Supreme Court of Pakistan has frozen the Information Ministrys secret funds till next hearing.
The Supreme Court of Pakistan has frozen the Information Ministry’s secret funds till the next hearing of the petition filed for the formation of a media accountability commission.A two-member bench comprising of Justice Jawaad Khawaja and Justice Khilji Arif Hussain heard the petition filed by senior journalist and anchor Hamid Mir and senior journalist Absar Alam at Quetta registry branch of apex court on Thursday.Apex court has summoned written report from Information Ministry regarding the use of secret fund during last six months, adding that petitioners have raise important points in the petition which require intention.As proceedings began, Justice Khilji Arif inquired if there was a clear procedure devised to provide advertisements to newspapers.The representative of Information Ministry told the court that he is not authorized to tell about the use of secret funds. Upon that court directed him to read the article 19-A of the constitution, adding that the refusal of official is the violation of article 19-A.During proceedings, Hamid Mir said people in the government were aware of the secret fund and its use. He added that the PPP used to hurl accusations regarding the misuse of the secret fund in 2002 and that the fund was also mentioned in the budget.Mir further said the Mushahid Hussain had payments made thorough a bank draft to make the secret fund transparent.Meanwhile Justice Khawaja asked the senior journalists about the working of the Interior Ministry to which Absar Alam replied that the ministry had no specific task but was there to apply pressure on newspapers.During the course of hearing, the applicants told bench that the funds of the information ministry were Rs2 billion last year which have now been increased to Rs4 billion. They added that the funds were being used for a “secret agenda” in an incorrect manner by influencing the media.Justice Khilji Arif Hussain remarked that there was no need for a secret account as the budget of the information ministry should be open. He further asked the ministry to inform the court of its budget and mandate.The bench maintained that it was compelled to pass an interim order in the case as the ministry, even after being given so much time, has not provided the court with any information.The hearing of the case has been adjourned till September 12.The petition prays to the Supreme Court to form a commission that will be responsible for inquiring about the source of income of TV channel owners, advertising agencies and anchorpersons.
