PEMRA bans coverage of ‘proclaimed offenders’ including journalists, politicians

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Electronic Media Regula­tory Authority (PEMRA) on Saturday banned media coverage of proclaimed offenders/absconders under Section 27 of PEMRA Ordinance 2002 as amended by PEMRA (Amendment) Act 2007.

“Reference is invited to the Hon’ble Sindh High Court’s Orders passed in Constitutional Petitions No. S-618 of 2012, S-65, S-74, S-79, S-134, S-164, S-226, S-284, S-337, S-697, S-814, S-834, S-845, S-932 and S-1079 decided on 14th October 2015 (PLD 2016 Karachi 238), wherein it has been held that a proclaimed offender/absconder has no right to enjoy various rights such as appearing on TV,” the notification issued by PEMRA read.

The following proclaimed offenders/absconders’ media coverage has been banned:

• Syed Akber Hussain Shah S/o Syed Hazoor Hussain
• Mr. Muhammad Sabir Shkair S/o Muhammad Shakir
• Mr. Moeed Hussain Pirzada S/o Peerzada Mahyudin
• Mr. Wajahat Saeed Khan S/o Syed Shafqat Khan
• Mr. Adil Farooq Raja S/o Umer Farooq Raja
• Mr. Haider Raza Mehdi S/o Syed Ghafar Mehdi
• Mr. Shaheen Sehbai S/o Qadoos Sehbai
• Mr. Ali Nawaz Awan S/o Muhammad Nawaz Awan
• Mr. Farrukh Habib S/o Muhammad Arshad
• Mr. Murad Saeed S/o Saeed Ullah
• Mr. Hammad Azhar S/o Mian Muhammad Azhar

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“Therefore, the Competent Authority while exercising powers conferred under Section 27 of PEMRA Ordinance 2002 as amended by PEMRA (Amendment) Act 2007 hereby prohibits media coverage of the above-mentioned individuals being proclaimed offenders on electronic media and refrains from airing any news, report, statement or tickers of individuals mentioned at para 2 above, in compliance with the principles laid down in PLD 2016 Karachi 238. Meanwhile, the matter is being referred to the Council of Complaints for appropriate recommendations,” the notification added.

The notification also stated that if any violations are noticed, legal measures will be taken in accordance with the relevant sections of PEMRA laws.