SHC seeks Pemra’s comments on obscene material on Internet | Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)

Pakistan Press Foundation

SHC seeks Pemra’s comments on obscene material on Internet

Karachi: The Sindh High Court on Friday issued notices to the Pakistan Electronic Media Electronic Authority and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority on a petition seeking a ban on obscene material and websites on the Internet.

Petitioner Iqbal Kazmi submitted that obscene material and websites are available on the Internet, but Pemra and PTA failed to block these sites, resulting in an increasing number of cases of sexual violence against women. He submitted that respondents are bound to prevent the printing, publication, circulation and display of obscene literature and advertisements, however, no efforts were being made for the eradication of such social evils in society.

He prayed to the court direct the respondents to block such websites containing obscene material and take action against Internet companies which are found violating laws. SHC’s division bench headed by the Chief Justice issued notices to Pemra, PTA and others and sought their comments.

Contempt plea against KESC: Karachi Electric Supply Company’s counsel sought time to file comments on a contempt application against KESC’s Chief Executive Officer for violating court orders regarding the publishing of shutdown announcements in newspapers.

Applicant Syed Iqbal Kazmi submitted that the SHC, while disposing of petition against load shedding and power failure, directed KESC to maximise its efforts to resolve loadshedding in the city. The court also directed KESC to publish shut down announcements in Urdu, English and Sindhi newspapers. The Applicant submitted that despite the court order, loadshedding still takes place in the city for between ten and sixteen hours, adding that the power shutdown announcements were not being published in newspapers. The court was prayed to take action against the alleged contemnor for violating court orders. SHC’s division bench granting time directed KESC counsel to file comments on the application and adjourned the hearing for a date to be fixed by the office.

Petition against unregistered vehicles: The Sindh High Court directed Foreign and Interior ministries as well as the Home and Excise and Taxation Department to formulate policy guidelines for the regulation of foreign number plates and diplomatic vehicles registration.

Hearing a suo moto reference regarding unregistered and foreign number plated vehicles, the court observed that a uniform policy protocol should be formed for checking and regulating vehicles with foreign number plates and diplomatic registration through coordinated efforts by the concerned authorities.

The court also observed that information regarding registration and regulations of such vehicles shall be forwarded to provincial authorities so that unauthorized use of foreign number plates could be checked and appropriate action could be taken against people using such vehicles for illegal activities.
Source: The News
Date:4/16/2011