Islamabad High Court on plea against ban on airing Nawaz Sharif speeches
Justice Minallah said the former prime minister’s CNIC and passport had been blocked. If the plea is granted, all absconders will be entitled to such relief, he pointed out to the petitioners.
ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court declined to provide any relief to former prime minister Nawaz Sharif who has been declared a proclaimed offender in a number of graft cases.
“We can’t give relief on the plea even if the Pemra’s notification [regarding the ban] was illegal,” he remarked, recalling the court didn’t provide any relief to former military dictator Pervez Musharraf when he was an absconder.
Hearing a petition filed by renowned journalists and anchorpersons against the Pemra’s ban on the broadcast of speeches and interviews by proclaimed offenders and absconders, IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah stated in clear terms that this court couldn’t extend relief to any fugitive from justice.
The top Islamabad judge noted the notification was issued under Section 31 of Pemra Ordinance.
A relevant forum can be approached for redressal of grievance if any channel or individual has been affected by the ban, he suggested.
Justice Minallah said the former prime minister’s CNIC and passport had been blocked. If the plea is granted, all absconders will be entitled to such relief, he pointed out to the petitioners.
The hearing was adjourned until December 16.
