Sindh High Court Orders Strict Implementation of Journalist Accreditation Rules On December 15, the Sindh High Court’s circuit bench in Hyderabad directed the Sindh Information Department to constitute divisional, regional and provincial accreditation committees and to ensure that accreditation cards are issued only to genuine, full-time working journalists, photographers and cameramen. The directions were issued while dismissing a constitutional petition related to the allotment of residential plots in the Journalists Colony. In its detailed judgment, the division constitutional bench comprising Justice Adnan-ul-Karim Memon and Justice Riazat Ali Sahar emphasized strict compliance with Rule 3 of the Sindh Government Accreditation Rules, 2010. The court ordered that the accreditation process must follow the prescribed procedure and that no accreditation card should be issued independently or in violation of the rules. The judgment, authored by Justice Adnan-ul-Karim Memon, was released on Monday after the court had reserved its verdict on December 9. The court underscored the need for proper institutional mechanisms to verify the professional status of journalists through duly constituted accreditation committees at all levels. The court observed that accreditation cards play a critical role in determining eligibility for benefits meant for journalists and therefore must be issued only after thorough scrutiny. It noted that the absence of properly functioning committees could undermine the purpose of the accreditation system. The directions were issued in a case filed by 23 individuals claiming to be journalists, who had sought allotment of residential plots in the Journalists Colony designated for members of the Hyderabad Press Club. The court dismissed the petition after finding that the petitioners failed to establish any legal or equitable right to the plots. During the hearing, the Hyderabad Press Club president was represented by Barrister Jawad Ahmed Qureshi, while Assistant Advocate General Sindh Rafiq Ahmed Dahri appeared on behalf of the provincial government. Concluding the matter, the court reiterated that the Sindh Information Department must ensure transparency and adherence to the law in the accreditation process so that only eligible and full-time media professionals are recognized under the applicable rules.

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Court orders registration of case against Bilal Saeed, Saba Qamar

August 14, 2020

LAHORE: A Sessions’ Court in Lahore on Thursday ordered registration of an FIR against singer Bilal Saeed, actress Saba Qamar and others over shooting a music video at Wazir Khan Mosque. The court ordered SHO Akbari Gate to proceed against the proposed persons if some cognisable offence was made out. Additional District and Sessions Judge Atiqur Rehman passed the orders on a plea filed by Advocate Sardar Farhat Manzoor Khan Chandio. As the hearing resumed on Thursday, the police submitted a report wherein it was stated that an official inquiry had been launched against officials of the Auqaf Department after suspending them. The court was also apprised that Znal Auqaf administrator had also requested for proceeding against Saba Qamar and other responsible and action was being taken.

However, the defence counsel argued that the proposed accused did not commit any offence as the entire video was shot after permission of the department administration. He further submitted that chief minister Punjab had also issued orders for detailed inquiry of the incident whereas respondents had already sought apology on various forums, He pleaded with the court for dismissal of the plea.

The court, after hearing detailed arguments of the parties, directed SHO Akbari Gate to proceed against the proposed persons if some cognisable offence was made out. The petitioner had argued that a music video was filmed on singer Bilal Saeed and Actress Saba Qamar at Wazir Khan Mosque whereas posts were also shared on social media about it.

He submitted that the mosque was the holiest place and the step violated its sanctity, whereas feelings of the people were also hurt.He pleaded with the court to issue directions for registration of a FIR against Bilal Saeed, Saba Qamar, producer Ahmad Waqas and department officials as the police concerned had failed to perform its official duty on his application.

Newspaper: Nation