Case Update Status

The decision was just made. It is not implemented yet. Last hearing was on March 31, 2023.

Summary of Case

"Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) is seeking to impose a ban on two senior journalists for disclosing the revelations during an interview. According to Dawn, “A petition has been filed in Islamabad High Court (IHC) seeking registration of a criminal case against former army chief retired Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa, ex-director general Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Faiz Hameed and two journalists for making certain revelations in an interview of the ex-army chief”. The petitioner requested the court to order the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) director general to register an FIR against the former generals and journalists, Javed Chaudhry and Shahid Maitla. Atif Ali, in his petition, contended that the interview of Gen Bajwa was conducted in a “reckless” manner, and the journalists, Javed Chaudhry and Shahid Maitla, did not show any sense of responsibility in publishing them. The petition said the revelations made in the interview were a violation of the Official Secrets Act and tantamount to inciting mutiny and disharmony. It requested the court to issue directions to the director general of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to register an FIR against Gen Bajwa, Gen Faiz and the two journalists. Besides, it also sought directions from Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) to impose a ban on these two journalists. "

Category of Incident

Censorship

ICCS Status

ICCS Divisions: 0803-Acts related to freedom of expression or control of expression

ICCS Group: 08039-Other acts related to freedom of expression or control of expression

ICCS Class: N/A

ICCS Crime: Acts related to freedom of expression or control of expression

Reported By

Dawn

Date of incident

31

Month

March

Year

2023

Name of affected person

Javed Chaudhry

Other affected persons

Shahid Maitla

Name of affected organization

Pakistan24.tv.

Other affected organizations

No other organization was affected

Action by

Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority.

City

Islamabad

Province

Capital Territory

Designation

Anchor

Professional category

Journalist

Age of victim

55

Marital Status

Compensation Details

Amount of compensation announced by government: No compensation announced

Date of compensation announcement by government: No compensation announced

Date of compensation paid by government: No compensation announced

Amount of compensation announced by others: No compensation announced

Date of compensation announced by others: No compensation announced

Date compensation paid by others: No compensation announced

FIR Details

Was FIR registered ?: No

Court Details

Was case investigated ?: Yes

Court where case was presented: Islamabad High court

Name of prosecuting lawyer: Islamabad High court

Date of first court hearing:

Date of last court hearing:

Status of court case: Islamabad High court

Journalist Union Status

PFUJ

APNS

CPNE

PBA

Media Source Status

Media reports:

Condemn Status

Colleague of victim

Not required to contact

Employer organization

Not required to contact

Press Club Status

Press club 1: Not required to contact

Press club 2: N/A

Press club 3: N/A