As the hearing started, Pemra counsel Zia Shahid Waseer submitted a report in the court and stated that all cable operators have restored Geo News transmission.Counsel for WorldCall also informed the court that they have also restored Geo News transmission. However, Geo News’s counsel Behzad pointed out that the Supreme Court had ruled that no cable operator could block the transmission of a channel as it would be violation of Article 19 of the Constitution and fundamental right of millions of viewers would also be infringed.

The counsel further said that the apex court had also ruled that if Pemra failed to discharge its obligation, criminal proceedings under the charges of breach of trust could be initiated against it. He said Pemra notices to cable operators were vague and unclear. He saidcable operators, including WorldCall, had not restored Geo News transmission so far.

The counsel said he would submit a report on next date of hearing, and, if it was found authenticated one, he would submit a contempt of court petition against the head of WorldCall.

He pointed out that head of Arbitration Committee Javed Jabbar, constituted on SC order, had stated that national level news channel’s transmission should be telecast on preferential slots.Former attorney general Iftikhar Shahid also submitted power of attorney on behalf of Geo News Lahore Bureau Chief Khawar Naeem Hashmi who has submitted an application to become a necessary party in the case.

Justice Ijazul Ahsan adjourned hearing till September 4 due to court summer vacations and directed Pemra to ensure implementation of SC order regarding restoration of Geo News transmission to its original slot.

The News

The viewers continue to remain deprived of watching their favorite channel.

Geo News suffered the punishment for adhering to the principles of persevering to raise voice for the just cause, never leaving side of the truth and promoting the practice of ‘live and let live’.

“For what sins the cable operators continue to deprive the citizens of their fundamental right of access to information by not letting them watch the channel of their choice,” complained the people of Karachi.

People have been searching for Geo News on their televisions for the past 24 hours but cable operators continue to keep it blocked.

The News

After the suspension of 15 days, Geo News started its transmission once again at midnight of Friday and Saturday.Impartial channels flashed this news as ‘breaking news’.

Pemra has forwarded the notification of restoration of Geo News to all its regional offices with strict direction that the country’s cable operators should obey the order of the Supreme Court according to which the position of Geo News on cable TV network should be the same as was in the second week of April, 2014.

Similarly, Pemra has directed its regional offices to present reports for implementing its orders. The regulator has also formally issued a press release to all the newspapers, news agencies and channels regarding its notification.

Before the suspension of Geo News, some of the cable operators illegally kept the transmission of Geo Kahani, Geo Entertainment, Geo Tez and Geo Super off air for 45 days. Other cable operators shifted the Geo channels to the last numbers on the cable network.

Geo News also obeyed the order of Pemra and paid a fine of Rs10 million. In addition, the shift in position of the channel cost billions of rupees to the Geo Group.

All the viewers were of the opinion that they were missing the news and analysis of Geo News. They prayed for reinstatement of Geo News and expressed pleasure after its restoration on the night of June 20, 2014.

The News