=> KARACHI: A constitutional petition challenging a n
KARACHI: A constitutional petition challenging a new television channel ‘Dharti’ by Mehran Television (Pvt) Ltd was disposed off Tuesday by the High Court of Sindh (SHC) that asked the petitioner to seek an alternate remedy by approaching the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) first.
The bench, comprising Justice Azizullah M. Memon and Justice Khawaja Naveed Ahmed, was hearing the petition that was filed by Syed Nadeem Abbas Shah and cited Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, taluka nazim Sukkur, Syed Javed Ali Shah, chief executive of Mehran TV, and chairman PEMRA as respondents.
The petitioner had asked the court to issue directives to PEMRA against giving a license to the television channel, as the nazim is a holder of public office and thus cannot enter into business or commercial activity. The channel would be used for propaganda against political opponents, he pleaded.
The bench then inquired whether he had moved PEMRA as he has to exhaust all remedies available to him under law. The petitioner’s counsel replied in the negative and the bench disposed off the petition, directing the petitioner to first file an objection against the respondents.
Meanwhile, the same bench also adjourned the hearing of a constitutional petition challenging the alleged illegal detention of Maulana Abdul Samad Soomro who had been missing since November 2, 2007.
Muhammad Ikramullah moved the petition, maintaining that missing Maulana Samad was his guest and was taken away on the night between November 2 and 3 during a raid by uniformed policemen.
Earlier, the court had expressed extreme displeasure as comments had not been filed by the State. This time, in anger, the court adjourned further proceedings till Wednesday directing the Sindh advocate general to appear in the case.
The respondents in the petition include Sindh home secretary, IGP Sindh, ISI, MI chiefs, DG Rangers and AVCC police.
Source: Daily Times
Date:1/16/2008
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