ISLAMABAD- The federal government requested the Supreme Court to grant two weeks time to submit a detailed report about the action the Karachi Electric Supply Corporation (KESC) and the Army Monitoring team had taken against the Pakistan Herald Publication (publishers of Dawn, Star, Herald, Spider and Aurora) on Sept 27.

The court, which had issued notice to the Attorney General to appear before it on Thursday, adjourned the case for two weeks on the AG’s request. In the interim report, the federal government claimed that the action taken by the KESC and Army Monitoring Team (AMT) was bona fide and in good faith in relation to the inspection of the premises.

The federal government alleged that it was observed by the inspection team that the load in actual use by the M/s Pakistan Herald Publications was nearly three times in excess of the sanctioned load of 385 KW. “The instead load as found by the inspection team at the premises of M/s Pakistan Herald Publications (Pvt) Limited on 27th September, 2000, was 1087 KW whereas the sanctioned load was 385 KW.”

In the same report, after three paras, the government contradicted itself by stating that M/s Pakistan Herald Publications (Pvt) Ltd were found acting in violation of the concerned law “as they were using 319 KW in excess of sanctioned connected load.” The report claimed that the action was taken in good faith and public interest to prevent violation of law and over-loading of the system. It stated that inspection of Dawn’s premises by the Army Monitoring Team, accompanied by the official of the KESC, was part of a routine process of scrutiny and checking. It was not intended to cause encroachment, in any manner, on the fundamental right of freedom of press and the right of privacy, it added.

The Attorney General stated that in the circumstances, it was necessary to collect detailed facts and make further inquires from the authorities concerned at Karachi for submitting a detailed report for which two weeks were required.
Source: Dawn
Date:10/27/2000