Court rejects ARY appeal, rules in favor of PEMRA

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published 8 years ago

ISLAMABAD – The Islamabad High Court Thursday rejected an ARY News appeal and ruled in favor of electronic media regulator PEMRA.

The case originated after ARY anchor Dr. Danish in his January 2016 program Sawaal Yeh Hai urged Gen. Raheel Sharif, the army chief at that time, to take over and hold the politicians accountable for their deeds.

Following a complaint by Shanila Sikandar, PEMRA later fined the channel Rs100000 for violating the Electronic Media Code of Conduct 2015.

ARY challenged this decision in the IHC.

The IHC single bench comprising Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb upheld the PEMRA decision and endorsed the recommendations of the regulator’s Council of Complaints.

A PEMRA media release said the judge observed that he did not find the program’s content to be a simple discussion on improving democracy or constituting fair comment.

The court said that it was expected of television anchors to exercise caution and discretion in their enunciations.

Dive Deeper

Russia slams Pakistan’s Frontier Post for ‘Western bias’; newspaper hits back

 November 07, 2025: Russia accuses Pakistan’s Frontier Post of anti-Russia bias; the paper defends press freedom and independence. A diplomatic clash over media narratives.

Javed Chaudhry signs off from Express News after 18 years on ‘Kal Tak’

 November 07, 2025: Veteran journalist Javed Chaudhry bids farewell to Express News after 18 years on Kal Tak, marking the end of an era in Pakistani television journalism.

Why only Nukta, Mr. Minister? Media workers question government's selective support

 November 06, 2025: Information Minister Attaullah Tarar’s job offer to Nukta staff draws criticism as hundreds of journalists across Pakistan face layoffs, salary delays, and job insecurity.

Information Minister Tarar announces jobs for all 37 laid-off Nukta employees

 November 06, 2025: Information Minister Attaullah Tarar announces jobs for 37 laid-off Nukta employees, saying they will be placed at digital platforms within 48 hours amid growing media uncertainty.

Faisal Chaudhry’s viral one-liner on G for Gharidah steals the show

 November 05, 2025: PTI’s Faisal Chaudhry’s witty reply to Gharidah Farooqi on GTV’s “G for Gharidah” goes viral as a clip from their debate over the 27th Amendment sparks reactions online.

A digital dream falters: Nukta cuts 37 jobs in Pakistan after only one year

 November 05, 2025: Digital platform Nukta lays off 37 employees in Pakistan, including journalists and producers, highlighting the financial struggles facing new media ventures in a shrinking job market.

Talat Hussain says offensive viral clip was edited out, not aired on Samaa TV

 November 04, 2025: Talat Hussain denies airing the viral clip showing Sher Afzal Marwat’s vulgar remark, saying it was not part of his Samaa TV show.

PFUJ recalls November 3, 2007 emergency as Pakistan’s darkest day

 November 03, 2025: PFUJ recalls November 3, 2007, as Pakistan’s darkest day under Musharraf, urging protection for journalists and the abolition of laws threatening press freedom.