IHC suspends show-cause notices to three private members of PEMRA
Israr Abbasi, Mian Shams and Fareeha Iftikhar were issued show-cause notices for abuse of power.
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - Islamabad High Court on Monday suspended show-cause notices issued to three private members of Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA).
Justice Noor-ul-Haq Qureshi of Islamabad High Court suspended show-cause notices to private PEMRA members Israr Abbasi, Mian Shams and Fareeha Iftikhar.
The court also suspended the notification of appointment of Executive Member PEMRA Kamal Uddin Tipu.
Meanwhile, the IHC also suspended order of the PEMRA meeting summoned on May 27.
It is pertinent to mention here that the government on May 22 sent show-cause notices to these three members for violation of their powers.
The PEMRA spokesman had denied any role in that meeting summoned by five honorary members of Pemra and had termed it as unconstitutional.
The show-cause notice sought explanation from the members for allegedly abusing their power afforded by the authority and violating the system. The notice also alleges the members to have adopted ‘improper conduct’.
Committee meeting:
These three members including two other private members met on May 20 to decide fate of GeoTV and had suspended licenses of Geo News, Geo Entertainment and Geo Tez TV out of five TV channels owned and operated by Geo/Jang group and moved for revocation of licenses, Dunya News had reported.
PEMRA member Mian Shams had said that PEMRA session comprised members from all over Pakistan. He said that PEMRA members have full authority as per PEMRA rules.
He said that a committee will be formed in next session to assert the authority of the chairman. He also recommended immediate suspension and sealing Geo’s offices.
He alleged that Mir Shakil tried to influence PEMRA members and the due process.
He said that PEMRA has also said the recommendations to Geo/Jang group seeking response by May 28 when the final decision will be taken. He alleged that Mir Shakil wanted private members of PEMRA to decide on the issue in order to influence the process and seek a favourable decision.
Another member Israr Abbasi alleged that Mir Shakil tried to call PEMRA members individually but he refused to answer the call.
