ISLAMABAD – Islamabad has demanded clarity on the military’s media wing control Over defense commentary on Television.
A report shared by an English publication said Justice Babar Sattar of Islamabad High Court grilled the federal government’s endorsement of the military’s media wing, which claims the “exclusive right” to determine who qualifies as a defense analyst.
The development comes in a case contesting Pemra’s directives that require retired military officers to get permission from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) before appearing on television.
It was reported that TV channels need to seek clearance from ISPR for retired military personnel sharing their views national security issues. These regulations have been contested by Ex-Servicemen Legal Forum, with support from Pakistan Ex-Servicemen Society.
Assistant Attorney General referenced responses from the defense ministry and the military’s media wing. When pressed about ISPR’s legal authority to regulate defense analysts in Pakistan, he requested additional time to provide clarification.
The court further questioned the need for pre-approval for analysts regarding national security, the legality of imposing prior restraints on speech, the rationale behind the directives, and whether any requests for such measures originated from the military. The attorney general sought more time to respond to these inquiries.
Justice Sattar has ordered Pemra to produce the original documentation that led to the issuance of the controversial notification, aiming to clarify the justification for the military’s control over media analysts. This case highlights ongoing tensions between civil rights and military influence in Pakistan’s media landscape.
