A notification from the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) restricting media from broadcasting court proceedings was challenged in both the Lahore High Court (LHC) and Islamabad High Court (IHC).
Samra Malik filed a petition in the LHC, scheduled for a hearing on Friday. Separately, the Press Association of Supreme Court and the Islamabad High Court Journalists Association filed a petition in the IHC.
Malik argued that PEMRA’s May 21 notification violated the public’s right to information. Justice Abid Aziz Shaikh will hear the petition on Friday. Malik named PEMRA, the federal government, and the information secretary as respondents.
Malik claimed the notification contravened Section 19-A of the Constitution and Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), guaranteeing the right to seek, receive, and impart information.
The petition stated, “PEMRA lacks the authority to issue such an order, which violates democratic norms and fundamental rights. Historically, Islamic courts conducted proceedings publicly to ensure justice was done and seen to be done.”
In the IHC, Barrister Umar Ejaz Gilani and Riyasat Ali Azad petitioned the Supreme Court and high court reporters. They named the information secretary and PEMRA chairman as respondents.
The petitioners argued that PEMRA’s amended May 21 notification on court reporting violated Articles 19 and 19A of the Constitution by misinterpreting a Supreme Court judgment.
The petitioners requested the court to quash the PEMRA notification and suspend it until a final decision.
