Lahore High Court orders Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, Pemra to ban videos on prophets
LAHORE: THE Lahore High Court on Wednesday directed Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) to immediately stop telecasting videos or movies on internet and cable networks about all prophets, including Hazarat Muhammad (PBUH).
The court also summoned the chairmen of PTA and Pemra for October 5 for explanation as to how such movies and videos were being shown on internet or cable networks despite court’s earlier verdict issued in 2011.
Justice Ijaz ul Ahsan also sought replies from PTA, Pemra, interior and foreign ministries. The court issued this order on a petition moved by Almi Majls-e-Tahafuz-e-Khatm-e-Nabuwat through Advocate Ishtiaq Ahmad Khan.
The petitioner said blasphemous videos and material was still easily available for viewers. He pointed out that pictures, movies and dramas on the lives of all prophets were not allowed in the light of order of Federal Shariat Court.
The petitioner contended that sale and purchase of blasphemous material, including compact discs (CDs) video, pictures and movies should be stopped in the country. The petitioner requested the court for directions to the authorities concerned to stop telecasting of every video or movie about prophets through cable networks of the country.
He prayed for formation of an inquiry team to probe the whole episode that created unrest among the Muslims of whole world.
The court heard initial arguments and ordered PTA and Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) to immediately stop telecasting movies on internet and cable networks about all prophets. The court will resume hearing on October 5.
Punjab governor: The Lahore High Court chief justice on Wednesday allowed a lawyer to annex with his petition the notifications of Punjab Governor Sardar Latif Khan Khosa’s removal as attorney general and advisor to the Prime Minister.
The petitioner had pleaded that Khosa was removed from his two previous offices – first as attorney general and second as Prime Minister’s advisor on information technology, therefore, he said, the respondent was not eligible to be appointed as governor.
On Wednesday, the petitioner filed an application for early hearing of his main petition and requested the court to take up the case the earliest as, he claimed, the matter was of great importance. The petitioner also sought court’s permission to place on record the notification of the governor’s termination as attorney general and advisor to Prime Minister. The chief justice allowed the plea and fixed hearing of the petition in the first week of October.
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