ISLAMABAD: The caretaker government on the orders of the Supreme Court madean amendment in the PEMRA Ordinance on Thursday after which the apex courtwrapped up the media commission case after six years and 100 hearings.
A day earlier during the hearing of the media commission case, ChiefJustice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Mian Saqib Nisar had directed thecaretaker government to make an amendment in the PEMRA Ordinance followingjournalist Hamid Mir’s petition.
Mir, who was a petitioner in the media commission case, had requested achange in Section 5 and 6 of the PEMRA Ordinance.
The caretaker government made the amendment in the ordinance todayrendering the federal government unable to shut down television channels bypassing direct orders.
Following the amendment, the control of federal government has beencurtailed while the authority of Pakistan Electronic Media RegulatingAuthority (PEMRA) chairman has been increased.
Further, PEMRA members have been reduced from 11 to eight. Of the eightmembers, five will be non-government officials and three will be governmentofficials.