IHC Suspends PEMRA’s ISPR Approval Rule for Defence Analysts on TV
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has suspended a 2019 notification by the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) that required defence analysts to obtain approval from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) before appearing on television channels.
The notification, which restricted defence analysis on TV to retired military officers with prior ISPR permission, had faced criticism for limiting the participation of retired defence personnel in media discussions.
Justice Babar Sattar presided over the case and issued a written order suspending the notification after PEMRA’s legal counsel failed to appear in court. An associate lawyer requested a postponement, citing the illness of a senior counsel, but the court proceeded based on the arguments presented.
The suspension will remain in effect until a final decision is made, with the next hearing scheduled for February 11.
Earlier, in September, the IHC had questioned the military’s media wing, ISPR, about its authority to control the designation of defence analysts on TV. The court sought clarification from the defence ministry regarding the legal status of ISPR and its exclusive role in such matters.
