ISLAMABAD-The Islamabad High Court (IHC) will Monday (today) resume hearing in a petition challenging the new social media rules devised by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA).
A single bench of IHC comprising Chief Justice of IHC Justice Athar Minallah will conduct hearing of the petition filed by Journalists Defense Committee of Pakistan Bar Council on behalf of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) challenging the social media rules of the PTA.
Previously, the IHC bench had issued notices to the federation and the PTA directing them to submit their response in this matter.
Barrister Jahangir Jadoon representing the petitioner told the court that social media rules have been challenged after making a thorough review of the Constitution. He maintained that the social media rules were challenged in accordance with the Constitution.
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: “The 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.” The bill, which has been cleared by the relevant Standing Committee twice, was moved in the House by its Chairman PTI Senator Faisal Javed.
Islamabad High Court Chief Justice Athar Minallah said the matter of enforcing social media rules involved Article-19 and Article-19A of the Constitution which were related to fundamental rights . Dawn/File
The government is ready to review new social media rules introduced last year and will consult all stakeholders in this regard, Attorney General of Pakistan Khalid Jawed Khan told the Islamabad High Court (IHC) during a hearing on Monday.
IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah was hearing a petition by the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) and others against social media rules introduced by the government in November.
Govt agrees to revisit new social media rules
Tells IHC it will review Unlawful Online Content Rules in consultation with PTA, stakeholders
PHOTO: REUTERS
ISLAMABAD:
The federal government has finally agreed to review its new social media policy – Removal and Blocking of Unlawful Online Content (Procedure, Oversight and Safeguards) Rules 2020 – introduced in November last year amid protest by various stakeholders.
Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) Khalid Javed Khan on Monday told an Islamabad High Court (IHC) bench that the government will revisit the rules in consultation with the stakeholders as well as the petitioners, who challenged the rules.
IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah noted that Article-19 (Freedom of Speech) and Article-19A (Right to Information) are related to human rights. “It seems that the government while framing the new rules did not consult with the relevant stakeholders,” he said.