PTI ignores Pemra hearing | Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)

Pakistan Press Foundation

PTI ignores Pemra hearing

Pakistan Press Foundation

Islamabad – Head of Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf Media Wing and main complainant Iftikhar Durrani did not appear before electronic media watchdog authority in case of airing false news of PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s marriage.

Durrani submitted a complaint to Chairman Pakistan Electronic Media Regulator Authority (PEMRA) against 25 private television channels for airing false news regarding marriage of party chairman on July 13, 2016.

The PEMRA Council of Complaints Islamabad held first hearing into the issue yesterday and complainant Iftikhar Durrani ignored the PEMRA hearing and did not appear before the Council of CoC.

However, the representatives of 25 TV channels attended the COC hearing.

Due to the non-serious attitude of the PTI official, the PEMRA asked 25 channels to submit their written replies with the council for further proceedings into the issue.

Chairperson PEMRA Complaints Council Islamabad Shamim Hamayon chaired the meeting and Professor Dr Maqsood Jafri, Dr Shahjahan Syed, Haroon Rashid, and Mohammad Farooq also attended the meeting.

The PEMRA also imposed Rs2.6 million fines collectively on three private TV channels during the proceedings of three different complaints launched by Federal Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Ziaud Din Yousafzia, father of Malala Yousafzia, and Awais Khan Leghari, Chairman Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs.

federal Finance minister Ishaq Dar lodged a complaint against ARY for leveling allegations against him without any proof. Similarly, Ziaud Yousafzia had also sought action against Such TV and ARY involved in character assassination of his daughter.

The council also heard a complaint registered by Maryam Nawaz Sharif against Channel-24 for airing false news related to her and postponed hearing of this case till next meeting.

Representatives of different channels have been summoned on separate complaints launched by deputy chairman NAB, opposition leader Syed Khurshid Shah, and federal minister Saira Afzal Tarar. Channels have been asked to submit fine within 14 days and air unconditional apology for airing false news.

The Nation