Islamabad High Court Reserves Verdict on Journalists’ Plea Against PEMRA Reporting Restrictions
On July 3, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) reserved its verdict on a plea filed by the Islamabad High Court Journalists Association (IHCJA), Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), and Press Association of Supreme Court (PAS) against a notification issued by the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) restricting reporting of court proceedings.
The journalists argued that the notification violated citizens’ fundamental rights, while PEMRA argued that it only restricted the reporting of court observations. The court reserved its verdict after hearing arguments from both sides.
PEMRA argued that the notification was necessary to protect the judicial system’s integrity. It said that the notification restricted reporting of court observations only, not the proceedings themselves.
The court reserved its verdict after hearing arguments from both sides.
The IHC Chief Justice, Aamir Farooq, remarked that the world has changed and journalists needed to adapt. He also said that a procedure was already in place to address incorrect reporting.
The verdict is expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
The PEMRA notification, issued on May 21, prohibited television channels from airing tickers or headlines related to ongoing court cases and limits reporting to written court orders. The Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) strongly criticized this blanket ban, denouncing it as an unacceptable overreach by the regulator. According to PPF, such a move will severely curtail public access to coverage of court proceedings, including those of critical political significance, thereby undermining transparency and public discourse.
On May 24, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) issued a notice to PEMRA and other relevant parties, seeking responses to petitions and providing interim relief to TV channels. The interim order stated: “No coercive measures shall be taken against any TV channel, provided that the notification is adhered to and followed in both letter and spirit.”
” 
” 
” 
” 
” 
