Media interview with accused: Delay in filing report invites LHC ire

Justice Ali Zia Bajwa of the Lahore High Court conducted the hearing on a plea against media interview of the accused in police custody.

The delay in submission of a report by the FIA and Pemra invited the court’s ire.

The court summoned the FIA DG and Pemra chairman on December 22.

It sought a report from the PTA chairman on the next hearing and summoned the Advocate General Punjab for the next hearing.

DIG Operations Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi, SSP Investigation Dr Anush Masood, CTO Amara Athar and other officers appeared in the court.

On behalf of the Punjab government, judicial assistants including the Additional Advocate General appeared

The court questioned why FIA Cyberwing has not been using its power to remove objectionable content. Justice Ali Zia Bajwa remarked the court barred media interviews with the accused in custody

Apart from District Vehari, no DPO has issued any letter to the subordinate officers to follow the orders, the petitioner told the court that directed the police reps to provide a report on behalf of the Punjab police chief on the matter.

Media interviews of the accused in custody continued unabated, the court observed, adding that the practice was not being allowed in the case of police officers facing departmental punishment.

The identity of the accused should be protected, Justice Bajwa stressed in a dialogue with DIG Operations.

As the petition told the court about the media reps’ raid at hotels, the judge said it is a good job if the media persons do their duty.

What YouTubers and social media people are doing is unacceptable to anyone, he said, adding that the excise officials take the media personnel to forcibly interview people and the stuff goes on air.

The DIG operations said the police and excise officials have been told not to do so. The court adjourned further hearing of the case till December 22