The Supreme Court was informed on Monday that the federal government has constituted a 'search' committee comprising, among others, eminent personalities from media for the appointment of chairman Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra). Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar, however, excluded the name of State Minister for Information Marriyum Aurangzeb from the committee. He said the minister remains busy issuing statements; therefore, she won't be in the committee.
The committee comprises Deputy Chairman Planning Commission Sartaj Aziz, All Pakistan Newspaper Society (APNS) President Hameed Haroon, Senior editor Arif Nizami, Chairman Pakistan Broadcasters Association Mian Amir Mehmood, Secretary Ministry of Information Ahmed Nawaz Sukhera and joint secretary Establishment Division. A three-member bench, headed by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar, was hearing the media commission case.
At the onset of the hearing, Additional Attorney General Waqar Rana informed the court that with the approval of the Prime Minister, the government has constituted the committee. The AAG told that names would be finalised within three weeks. The Chief Justice also noted that the court is showing utmost patience and exercising extreme restraint against the unjust criticism being made against it. He recalled that anti-judiciary slogans were raised by some workers of ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), particularly women, outside the Supreme Court building on Friday last after the verdict regarding interpretation of Article 62(1)(f) of the Constitution was announced.
The Supreme Court in its Friday's verdict had ruled that disqualification under Article 62 (1)(f) of the Constitution, is for life. Under the verdict, former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif cannot contest elections or hold any public office for whole life. Apparently hinting at the ruling party's electoral symbol 'lion', the Chief Justice said he does not know any lion, however, his fellow judges are his real lions.
He said that at least respect should be given to the judges equal to that given to the elders. Without naming PML-N, the Chief Justice said they take shelter behind women but if they have any honor and courage, they should bring men on the front. During the hearing, Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed observed that independence of media is conditional to ensure the independence of judiciary, adding if judiciary would be weak then the media will also be weak. Meanwhile, the court adjourned the hearing for two weeks.
The bench summoned editor-in-chief of Geo/Jang Group, Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman, to appear in court on Tuesday and explain why employees of his media group have not been paid salaries for the past three months.