ISLAMABAD: The chairman of Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority(PEMRA), Mirza Saleem Baig, submitted his unconditional apology in theIslamabad High Court (IHC) in connection with a contempt of court case.
The high court resumed the hearing of the contempt notice issued to thePEMRA chairman for using the court’s name without prior permission orcontext as means of persuasion to enforce strict guidelines on media housesand news anchors.
During the hearing, Mirza Saleem Baig submitted an unconditional apologyfrom the high court and said that he could not even think of misusingcourt’s name and the notice was not issued to challenge the powers of thecourt. He prayed IHC for withdrawing show-cause notice over contempt ofcourt issued on November 1.
The chairman also submitted a written reply in the court which stated thatthe authority had clarified its notification for not imposing restrictionson news anchors for joining other talks shows. The reply also stated it hadbeen clarified that news anchors were not restricted to participate inmarathon transmission.
Read Top Stories
On October 29, The high court being presided over by Justice Athar Minallahlinkhadissued a contempt of court notice to chairman PEMRAlink forusing the court’s name without prior permission.
Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) had issued newdirectives to all TV channels regarding analyses, views and discussion onsub-judice matters which resulted in tremendous backlash from a largesegment of society, media and prominent political entities.
