No airtime relief for absconders: Islamabad court

ISLAMABAD: Islamabad High Court (IHC) Chief Justice Athar Minallah has said that there would be no relief given to any absconder for airing their speeches on the Pakistani television channels.

Minallah's remarks came while hearing a petition against the electronic media watchdog, Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA), for ordering a complete ban from airing of speeches of former Premier Nawaz Sharif. "It was not in public interest to give relief to an absconder," said Chief Justice Minallah. The petition was filed by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) along with some journalists, who contested that PEMRA has barred all electronic media outlets from airing, broadcasting and rebroadcasting of speeches of former premier Nawaz Sharif and former Finance Minister Ishaq Dar. It is important to note that both Nawaz Sharif and Ishaq Dar have been declared as absconders by the Pakistani courts. The petition was virtually brushed aside by the IHC Justice, who made it clear that no absconder would be allowed to get any relief and the electronic media will continue to be barred from airing their speeches. (IANS)

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