ISLAMABAD – Islamabad has formally sought clarification regarding the military’s media wing’s authority over defense commentary on television.
A report from an English publication indicated that Justice Babar Sattar of the Islamabad High Court interrogated the federal government’s endorsement of the military’s media wing, which asserts an “exclusive right” to determine who qualifies as a defense analyst.
The development arises from a case challenging Pemra’s directives that require retired military officers to obtain permission from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) before appearing on television.
Reports indicate that television channels must seek clearance from ISPR for retired military personnel who wish to express their views on national security issues. These regulations have been contested by the Ex-Servicemen Legal Forum, supported by the Pakistan Ex-Servicemen Society.
The Assistant Attorney General referred to responses from the defense ministry and the military’s media wing. When questioned about ISPR’s legal authority to regulate defense analysts in Pakistan, he requested additional time to provide clarification.
The court further probed the necessity of pre-approval for analysts discussing national security, the legality of imposing prior restraints on speech, the rationale behind the directives, and whether such requests originated from the military. The Attorney General sought more time to address these inquiries.
Justice Sattar has instructed Pemra to produce the original documentation that led to the issuance of the contentious notification, aiming to clarify the rationale for the military’s oversight of media analysts. This case underscores the ongoing tensions between civil rights and military influence in Pakistan’s media landscape.
