Pemra bans destroying TV industry: Justice Isa

• Criticized PEMRA for banning news channels.
• The body is earning revenue by granting licenses: Justice Isa
• PEMRA can take action if someone spreads false news, judge

Islamabad: Justices of the Supreme Court… Qazi Faiz Isa said on Wednesday Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) was ruining the TV industry by imposing undue restrictions on news channels, the regulator was earning revenue by licensing them.

The judge refused to hear the urgent case, objecting to the formation of a special bench to hear the automatic notice case for awarding 20 extra marks to medical students for memorizing Quran.

Justice Isa criticized. Regulatory Power to impose restrictions on news channels and not allow them to broadcast news on the conduct of judges of the Judiciary.

He questioned how anyone can suppress the voice of the media, giving an impression that the court has suppressed the voice of the media.

Attorney General Shahzad Atta Elahi said that PEMRA in its letter has stopped satellite channels from broadcasting news on the conduct of judges and state institutions.

Justice Isa said that the Supreme Court is not a state institution but a constitutional regulatory institution, PEMRA has raised the status of the Supreme Court.

The distinguished judge said that Pemra does not speak when foul language is used against a civil judge and asked whether the judges of the subordinate judiciary are also lesser beings.

Why does PEMRA not take action for speaking against Session Judge, Civil Judge or Magistrate? asked the judge.

Fazil Judge said that PEMRA can take action if someone gives false news, adding that if news is blocked on news channels, people will watch social media.

Justice Isa said that if he does not do anything wrong, his conduct cannot be discussed.

The judge remarked that this is the reason why the ranking of Pakistan’s judiciary is so poor.