ISLAMABAD, Mar 13 (APP): The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday again summoned chairmen of Pakistan Telecommunication A
uthority (PTA) and Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory A
uthority (PEMRA) in person in audio leaks cases of Bushra Bibi and Najam u Saqib.
The court directed the chairman PTA and members to submit their report along with their affidavits. The hearing of the case was adjourned till March 14.
Justice Babar Sattar heard the identical petitions. The court asked the chairman PEMRA to tell that what steps have been taken to stop spread of leaked audios on media without verification.
The court said t
hat the PTA’s lawyer has raised the objection t
hat the bench couldn’t seek affidavit from chairman PTA. The court said t
hat this arguments of PTA’s lawyer was based on misunderstanding.
It further said t
hat the court has sought comments from PTA being a telecom regu
lator to inform that whether the department has given direction to telecom operators for phone tape. The PTA, in its written comments, has adopted the stance that it has no a
uthority to issue such directions.
The court said that PTA’s lawyer Irfan Qadir, however, has stated t
hat the a
uthority has such provision. It said t
hat the statements of PTA and its lawyer were contradicting.
The court adjourned the case till tomorrow with above instructions.
