SC reinstates ban on airing Indian content on local television channels
Justice Ijaz-ul-Ahsan remarked that the high court is not authorized to interfere in PEMRA powers.
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Supreme Court on Tuesday reinstated a ban on the airing of Indian content on local television channels.
A three-member bench of the apex court headed over by Justice Gulzar Ahmad took up the case for hearing Tuesday.
During the proceedings, the top court set aside an earlier ruling by the Lahore High Court (LHC) and reinstated a 2016 policy of the federal government banning the transmission of Indian content on local television channels.
Justice Gulzar Ahmad asked if the people still want to watch Indian content.
Justice Ijaz-ul-Ahsan remarked high court is not authorized to interfere in PEMRA powers.
A counsel of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) appeared before the court and told the court about policy for airing 10 percent foreign content came in 2006. Airing Indian material was linked to airing Pakistani material in India. Ever since India has imposed ban on Pakistani content, ban has also been clamped in Pakistan.
After hearing arguments of the counsel of the PEMRA, SC set aside the LHC order and reinstated the federal government s October 2016 policy as per which Indian content cannot be aired on local television channels.
The court has adjourned the hearing of the case for indefinite period.
"On October 19, 2016, PEMRA imposed a complete ban on airing Indian content on local television channels," the counsel for the regulatory authority said.
However, in 2017, the LHC lifted the ban as the federal government had no objections regarding the same, according to the official. Later, PEMRA challenged the High Court s decision in the top court.
Pakistan bans Indian movies amid rising tensions
On February26, amid high tensions over Indian intrusion of Pakistani airspace, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry had placed a ban on exhibition of Indian movies in Pakistani cinemas.
Fawad Chauhdry in his Tweet had also informed of passed on instructions to PEMRA on acting against ‘made in India advertisements’.
‘Cinema Exhibitors Association has boycotted Indian content, no Indian Movie will be released in Pakistan. Also have instructed PEMRA to act against Made in India Advertisements. Pakistan Tayar Hai,’ said the Minister.
