Pakistan High Court Questions Military's Media Oversight

The Islamabad High Court questioned how the military's media wing assumed authority to decide defense experts for private TV shows. The query arose during a petition by the Ex-Servicemen Legal Forum challenging Pemra's directive for TV channels to seek ISPR clearance before inviting retired military officers for commentary on national security.

The Islamabad High Court has questioned the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) and the military's media wing over who has the right to decide defense experts for private TV shows.

Justice Babar Sattar raised the concern during a hearing of a petition by the Ex-Servicemen Legal Forum, supported by the Pakistan Ex-Servicemen Society. The petition challenges a 2019 Pemra directive instructing TV channels to seek prior clearance from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) before inviting retired military officers to discuss national security issues.

Assistant Attorney General Adeel Akhtar Raja, representing the government, sought more time to respond to the court's queries, leading to the case being adjourned until November 20. Pemra has been asked to produce the official file that led to the issuance of the notice.

(With inputs from agencies.)