By Sohail Khan
ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Friday issued notices to chairman Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra), secretary information and managing director Pakistan Television Corporation and directed them to file a reply in a contempt of court case filed by Independent Music Group.
The Independent Music Group had filed a contempt of court case against Pemra and PTV for showing World Cup cricket matches 2011 on cable through PTV although only Geo Super has the telecasting rights to show World Cricket Cup 2011, which it had obtained through Independent Music Group.
A three-member bench of the apex court comprising Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, Justice Muhammad Sair Ali and Justice Ghulam Rabbani heard the case. Muhammad Akram Sheikh, counsel for Independent Music Group while appearing before the court submitted that they have filed a contempt petition before the court against Pemra and PTV for violating the apex court order of January 24 and still airing cricket World Cup matches on PTV despite the fact that PTV has only terrestrial rights.
He further submitted that they would also provide the court, details of the recent meetings of chairman Pemra and MD PTV for airing World Cup matches on PTV. He contended that the matter is of national importance which must be given due consideration as measures are being taken to give huge losses to the Independent Music Group while the concerned state functionaries are trying to usurp the exclusive rights of Geo Super. He further argued that action must be taken against persons who violated the court’s order.
“We had already passed an order on January 24,” the chief justice observed. He directed the learned counsel to place on record of the court, details pertaining to the matter and issued notices to chairman Pemra, secretary information and MD PTV, directing them to submit report before the court on February 28 and adjourned the hearing.
It is pertinent to mention here that the Supreme Court on January 24 had restored the rights of Geo Super to telecast World Cup matches on cable network across the country, earlier withdrawn by Pemra.
“The Pemra notification of January 10, 2011 is suspended for being without lawful authority and we direct the authority to implement its earlier notification in letter and spirit,” the court had ruled in its brief order.
The Independent Music Group, a member company of Geo TV had challenged the Pemra notification of January 10, 2011, suspending the exclusive rights given by ESPN to air World Cup matches on cable network across Pakistan.
The Independent Music Group has been acquiring rights to various sports events in the world and under a standing arrangements between Bird (Pvt) Ltd and IMG, those events are broadcast on Geo Super in Pakistan.
Source: The News
Date:2/26/2011
