The Islamabad High Court (IHC) issued a directive on Monday, instructing a private TV channel to issue an apology and pay Rs50,000 in damages to senior journalist Asma Shirazi for defamatory reporting against her.

The verdict, delivered by IHC’s Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani, stemmed from Shirazi’s appeal against the Pakistan Media Regulatory Authority’s (Pemra) Council of Complaints’ December 21, 2022 decision.

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The court expressed the opinion that the TV channel’s editorial side and airing committee were not vigilant enough in placing the appellant’s picture alongside news content, creating a false impression that she was connected to a particular news item. The verdict highlighted that the facts were deliberately manipulated to make viewers believe that Shirazi’s journalism was criticized during Supreme Court proceedings, as argued in her appeal.

Shirazi contended that the Pemra body declared her complaint non-maintainable, stating that no legal point had been made regarding the availability of a proper forum for defamation. The IHC emphasized that Pemra laws bind TV channels to broadcast news and reports accurately.

The court allowed Shirazi’s appeal, awarding nominal damages of Rs50,000 and directing the TV channel to broadcast an apology for clarity among the general public. It clarified that the assessment of damages is not within its purview when not suggested on record. Additionally, the verdict affirmed Shirazi’s right to approach a competent court to seek damages under defamation law.