The petitioner named the Federation of Pakistan through secretary Ministry of Defence, Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) Mir Ibrahim Rehman, chief executive officer Geo TV, Mir Shakil-ur-Rehman, Amir Mir, Ansar Abbasi, Imtiaz Alam, Najam Sethi, Muneeb Farooq, Idrees Bakhtiar, Umar Cheema, Iftikhar Ahmad, Asma Shirazi and Dr Amir Liaquat as respondents.

The petitioner through his counsel adopted before the court that it is necessary for the safety and security of the country that the spy agencies keep working in an efficient way. That the functioning of electronic media is very important due to the fact that most people in this country are illiterate and cannot read newspapers.

He said that according to Pemra rules the judiciary and armed forces could not be criticised over television networks.The petitioner alleged that Geo Television has violated Pemra rules while criticising the armed forces of Pakistan after an attack over its anchor person Hamid Mir. He prayed to the court to cancel Geo TV’s licence.

The court however dismissed the petition without hearing.Our correspondent from Lahore adds: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday dismissed a petition filed by anchorperson Mubashar Lucman for high treason proceedings against the administration of Geo and Jang Group.

The judge remarked if the petitioner wanted to initiate proceedings against the respondents under Article 6 of the Constitution, he should approach the federal government because under the relevant law, only the federal government was competent to start treason proceedings.

Lucman had also sought cancellation of declaration of the Jang and The News and cancellation of licence of Geo TV for leveling baseless allegations against ‘the most respectful and credible institution of the country’.

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In the notice, the Pemra directed chief executive officer (CEO) of Geo News to appear before it for personal hearing on May 6 at 11:00am at its headquarters here.

The Pemra said in the notice that a complaint was received on Tuesday from the Ministry of Defence, initiated by the Directorate General ISI with CDs (video recording) and a copy of transcript.

It said that after firing on the car of anchorperson Hamid Mir, the channel launched a “malicious campaign” airing “false accusations” against the ISI and its senior officers.The notice said it had been further alleged by Deputy Director General ISI that the “reporting made and programmes aired can’t be viewed as a single event. GEO Network had a history of acting illegally in furtherance of anti-Pakistan agenda.”

The Pemra noted in the notice that “whereas the content of the complaint and video recordings provided by the complainant appear to be in violation of the Section 20 of the Pemra Ordinance, Rule 15 of Pemra rules, 2009 read with clause (d) (e) (g) (h) and (j) of Pemra Code of Conduct as well as Regulation 18 (i) (c) of Pemra (Television Broadcast Station Operation Regulations), 2012 and clause 29 of the terms and conditions of the licence, you had signed.”

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