Cable operators showing matches on channels other than Geo Super to lose licences: CJ
ISLAMABAD: While adjourning for an indefinite period further hearing of the contempt of court petition filed by Geo Super on Pemra chairman’s report, the Supreme Court directed that if the court orders are violated, the Geo Super management should give an application to the Pemra chairman and send a copy to the Supreme Court registrar.
The Pemra chairman would immediately address the complaint and present the report to the Supreme Court registrar. Geo Super advocate Mohammad Akram Sheikh prayed to the court that to remove the apprehensions of Geo Super, orders be issued that no cable operator will telecast Cricket World Cup 2011 matches through any other channel except Geo Super. On this, Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry remarked: “The court trusts the acting Pemra chairman”. The chief Justice told Pemra Chairman Dr Abdul Jabbar: “We are trusting you”.
A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry and comprising Justice Sair Ali and Justice Ghulam Rabbani heard the case.
The apex court in its orders Raza Kazim said in categorical terms that Geo Super has satellite broadcasting rights to show ICC Cricket World Cup and PTV has rights to show matches through antenna.
The court said it seems that Pemra has compiled a report by conducting monitoring. This has been testified in the report that from Feb 17 to 28, PTV has telecast Cricket World Cup ceremonies and all matches on VHF and UHF radio frequency only on antenna and through any of the PTV channels matches were not shown on satellite.
Pemra has also assured the Supreme Court that till the end of World Cup, PTV and all other channels would be monitored and Supreme Court’s January 24 order and Pemra’s December 22, 2010 letter would be fully implemented.
Pemra itself said in its report that till the end of World Cup, cable TV network operators would also be monitored so that Pemra’s December 22 letter is fully implemented and it would be ensured that except Geo no other satellite channel shows World Cup. If cable TV network would commit violation, their licences would be suspended.
On Pemra report Geo Super lawyer Mohammad Akram Sheikh sought time to consult his client and after sometime told the court that his client has agreed to this report and hoped that apart from Geo Super cricket matches would not be shown on the cable. The chief justice said if orders are violated, licences of cable operators will be cancelled. If you have any complaint, give report to the registrar. Telecasts would be shown by PTV on antenna and Geo Super on satellite.
PTV lawyer Raza Kazim said PTV has rights to telecast World Cup on antenna while Geo Super has satellite telecast rights. Before the court, the PTV lawyer termed satisfactory the report submitted by Advocate Ali Raza Kazim on behalf of the Pemra chairman.
While the court said if applicant has any complaint, the case can be taken up again on written application. The court adjourned the further hearing of contempt of court application for indefinite period.
Source: The News
Date:3/2/2011
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