ISLAMABAD – The Supreme Court winded up the case regarding non-payment of salaries to employees of Geo Television Network on Thursday after being informed that a settlement has been made on the matter.
The disposal of the petition by a three-member bench of the court, headed by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar came on a day when the fragile media of the country is celebrating the World Press Freedom Day.
During today’s hearing, veteran journalist Hamid Mir, head of the committee formed by the apex court to resolve the pay dispute, informed the bench that according to the agreement reached between channel administration and employees, the salary backlog for over 90 percent of working journalists who earn up to Rs200,000 has been cleared by April 30.
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“In case of delay in salaries in future, a markup would be paid to the employees,” Hamid explained before the top court.
Meanwhile, Geo TV Network’s lawyer requested the court to direct the government, pay its pending bills for advertisements aired on the channel.
To this, the top judge remarked that this was not a basic rights issue and a separate complaint should be filed in this regard for legal proceedings.
“How can we give an order without hearing the government?” he wondered.
The top judge while concluding the case, also remarked that changes to the laws regarding Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) need to be made before the end of the incumbent government’s tenure.
Earlier in April, a three-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar and comprising Justice Aijaz ul Ahsan and Justice Umer Atta Bandial conducted the hearing of the case and ordered the management of Geo to pay all pending salaries to its employees by April 30.
The bench visibly seemed perturbed over the issue and ordered the media house to pay the salaries even if it has to “beg or borrow”.
Not only that, the court had also clarified that it would shut down TV channels where owners do not pay their staff, remarking that employees are the backbone of any organisation.
