LHC did not ban airing speeches of Nawaz, Maryam: SC

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) Tuesday cleared that the Lahore High Court (LHC) had not imposed a ban on airing of speeches of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz by television channels.

Chief Justice of Pakistan (GJP) Mian Saqib Nisar observed that the LHC only directed the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) to ensure that no anti-judiciary content was telecast by TV channels.

The CJP was heading a three-member bench, which heard a suo moto notice on fake news published in the press regarding the LHC's judgment of Monday.

The chief justice observed that the LHC did not pass any such order as reported in the media. The high court's order complied with Article 19 (freedom of speech) and Article 68 (restriction on discussion) of the Constitution.

Expressing satisfaction over the LHC order, the CJP observed that there was nothing in the judgment about imposing a ban on any individual's speech.

He expressed his displeasure over a section of the press for publishing ‘fake news’ on the LHC decision and termed it an attack on the judiciary.

Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed remarked the LHC order was being criticised on TV channels without being read.

Justice Nisar asked the Attorney General for Pakistan to read out the LHC verdict in the courtroom, as it had directed PEMRA to stop news channels from airing speeches against the judiciary and judges.

The Supreme Court, however, disposed of the case.