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January 26, 2021
ISLAMABAD: The opposition in the Senate on Monday rejected a bill proposing powers for the Pakistan Electronic Media Regularity Authority (Pemra) to look into complaints of violation of contractual obligations by private TV channels.
PPP Parliamentary Leader in the House Sherry Rehman, opposing the bill, alleged: âThe Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) is going to be used to interfere in media contracts now. It already has a terrible record. Media has no space in Pakistan under this government and Tabahi Sarkar is bent upon suppressing the media and voices of dissent.â The bill, which has been cleared by the relevant Standing Committee twice, was moved in the House by its Chairman PTI Senator Faisal Javed.
LAHORE: Islamabad High Court Chief Justice Athar Minallah heard clubbed petitions, challenging the Social Media Rules (Removal and Blocking of Unlawful Online Content (Procedure, Oversight and Safeguards), Rules 2020).
Petitions have been filed by the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), prominent journalist Amber Shamsi, and a TikToker Ashfaq Jutt before the IHC. The hearing of the petition was adjourned from Dec 18, 2020 to Jan 25 on the request of the attorney general, wishing to assist on the matter.
Pointing to Article 19 and 19-A, the IHC CJ remarked that the rules governing the social media ban were made without consultation with the stakeholders.
Govt gets ready to amend social media rules
Top Story
January 26, 2021
LAHORE: Islamabad High Court Chief Justice Athar Minallah heard clubbed petitions, challenging the Social Media Rules (Removal and Blocking of Unlawful Online Content (Procedure, Oversight and Safeguards), Rules 2020).
Petitions have been filed by the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), prominent journalist Amber Shamsi, and a TikToker Ashfaq Jutt before the IHC. The hearing of the petition was adjourned from Dec 18, 2020 to Jan 25 on the request of the attorney general, wishing to assist on the matter.
Pointing to Article 19 and 19-A, the IHC CJ remarked that the rules governing the social media ban were made without consultation with the stakeholders.
A general view of the Senate session on Monday. DawnNewsTV
ISLAMABAD: The opposition-dominated Senate on Monday rejected a bill proposing to give powers to the Pakistan Electronic Media Regularity Authority (Pemra) to look into the complaints of violation of contractual obligations by private TV channels.
The Pemra (Amendment) bill twice cleared by the Senate Standing Committee on Information was moved in the house by Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf Senator Faisal Javed who heads the panel.
While the government side criticised opposition to the bill meant for protecting workers’ rights, the opposition objected to the idea of giving access to the human resource departments of the electronic media houses on the excuse of protecting workers’ rights.
Govt to review social media rules, IHC told
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January 26, 2021
ISLAMABAD: The federal government told the Islamabad High Court (IHC) Chief Justice, Athar Minallah, on Monday that it was ready to review the newly introduced social media regulations, earning a positive response from the court.
The IHC was informed of the government’s decision by Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) Barrister Khalid Jawed Khan in a petition against the recently approved social media rules devised by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA).
Justice Minallah was told that the government will consult the petitioners and the stakeholders when it reviews the regulations. During the hearing, Justice Minallah observed: “Articles 19 and 19-A of the Constitution are related to fundamental rights. It seems that the stakeholders were not consulted in formulating the social media rules.”