ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) Wednesday summoned Attorney General for assistance on Thursday (today) in a case challenging Pemra’s notices requiring TV channels to deposit 5 percent of their annual income from advertisements as a levy.
The court has maintained a stay order since April 2022 on Pemra’s notices issued to TV channels demanding payment of billions of rupees based on their annual gross advertising revenue.
The petitioners contend Pemra already charges a license fee and does not have the authority to impose such a tax.
Justice Saman Riffat Imtiaz issued the order while hearing petitions filed by the Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA) and TV channels, stating although the parties had already been heard, judicial record showed no notice had been issued to the Attorney General in this case.
The petition challenges constitutional validity of Pemra Rules, for which issuing a notice to Attorney General is mandatory. The Attorney General has been directed to appear before the court on Thursday (January 8) to assist in the matter.
Earlier, after hearing arguments from the parties, the court had reserved its decision on the petitions. At the previous hearing, Advocate Faisal Siddiqui appeared on behalf of PBA and TV channels.
