The Lahore High Court on Thursday turned down a request of the federal government to suspend operation of a recent judgment, which struck down appointment of Absar Alam as chairman of Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra).
The court observed that the federal government should file an intra court appeal (ICA) instead of application if it felt aggrieved by the verdict and dismissed the same for being not maintainable. Earlier, a law officer argued that the Pemra would stand dysfunctional if decision of the high court was implemented and appointment of a new chairman Pemra was not possible within the period of 30 days as directed by the court.
The law officer therefore prayed the court to stay the judgment for a period of 30 days. The petitioner's counsel Azhar Siddique, opposed the government's application and said it was based on mala fide intension. He said the government wanted to protect its blue eyed.