ISLAMABAD: Islamabad High Court (IHC) has given time to ministries of information and law till Friday February 10 in connection with electronic media legislation. Petitions filed by High Court Journalists Association (HCJA) and others on legislation for electronic media came up for hearing before IHC bench led by Chief Justice (CJ) Amir Farooq.

Information Secretary Shahira Shahid and law secretary appeared in court.

CJ IHC while expressing displeasure over attitude of ministries of law and information remarked there is time till next Friday. Do it what you can do otherwise he will give decision. If you cannot do it then I summon law minister and information minister.

Information secretary told court when court gives directives we will do work according to it. Court remarked, “Abolish ministries of law and information if everything has to be done by court. Then it is said that courts interfere in affairs of executive. Reason for it that executive does not do respective job. You are saying if court gives directives then you will do work. If it is so then I will write whatever I have to write. Then no should complain.”

Information secretary told court we did not know this proceedings is continuing in IHC. Court remarked, “I give order to information ministry to set up another ministry to give information to information ministry.  Media is being called 4TH pillar and government is not ready to give basic rights to journalists. These journalists are stake holders. They move tribunal for one lac rupees if they are not paid salary. No such forum was existing for journalists of electronic media.

Additional Attorney General requested court to give them some time. I will inform court after obtaining directives.

Court remarked, “I am going to retire in 1931. Should I give date till that time, if Parliament and executive do their job then these things will not come here.

Court remarked you people are doing this wrong. You people have gone to another side. You have misguided Cabinet. You should not have done so. Legislation be enacted for electronic media and forum should be made separately. Court addressing information secretary remarked take care of workers and not of stake holders. If there are workers then there will be stake holders. 

Published in The Daily National Courier, February, 07 2023

Like Business on Facebook, follow @DailyNCourier on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.