LHC orders equal media coverage to PTI founder, other candidates
Pakistan
Court says without freedom of expression no election can be called fair, transparent
LAHORE (Dunya News) – The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Wednesday ordered the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) to give equal coverage to the PTI founder and all other candidates.
Justice Shams Mehmood Mirza issued a 10-page verdict on PTI founder's petition.
The court, in its written order, said Article 17 of the Constitution gives equal rights including freedom of speech and expression to all citizens. The LHC further ruled that election campaign and propagation of manifesto was a basic right of every party.
The LHC ruled that freedom of speech and expression through a free media was a perquisite of transparent and fair polls. Without freedom of expression no election could be called fair and transparent, the court said.
The LHC also referred to judgements in cases pertaining to Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto.
The PTI founder had moved the highest court of the province for being denied coverage on TV channels.
