A SHORT CHRONOLOGY OF

MASS MEDIA IN PAKISTAN

Media History From Gutenberg

To the Digital Age

PRESENTED BY :
BUSHRA HIJAZI
HAMID NAZIR

Raja Umar Siddique

Course Outline : Mass Media in Pakistan
Press in Pre-WoI 1857 Era
?
Press in Post-WoI Era
?
The role of press in Pakistan Movement
?
The press freedom in Pakistan Past, Present and Future
?
Press Institutions / News Agencies
?
Print Media as today and its salient aspects
?
PTV History and Development
?
Radio Pakistan History and Development
?
Development of Electronic Media in the Private sector
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FM Radio Stations
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Media Laws History 1947 1985, PPO-1963 and RPPO
?
Freedom of Information Ordinance
?
Defamation Law
?
Contempt of Court Law
?
PEMRA and its Laws
?
Code of Ethics for press and electronic media
?

Raja Umar Siddique

Course Lecturer
Mass Communication Department
NUML, Islamabad
Rajaumar75@gmail.com
Rajaumar75@hotmail.com
Rajaumar75@lycos.com
Cell: 0333-5755551
0331-5755551

Raja Umar Siddique

Beginning of Journalism

?
ACTA DIURNA (Daily Progress):
In 751 B.C the Roman Emperor used to circulate a handout amongst the laity which contains
news regarding public interests.
In Ancient Rome, Acta Diurna, or government announcement bulletins, were made public by
Julius Caesar. They were carved in metal or stone and posted in public places.
TIPAO: In China, early government-produced news sheets, Circulated among court officials
during the late Han dynasty (second and third centuries AD).
KAIYUAN ZA BAO ("Bulletin of the Court"): Between 713 and 734, news bulletin of the
Chinese Tang Dynasty published government news; it was handwritten on silk and read by
government officials.
In 1582 there was the first reference to privately published newssheets in Beijing, during the
late Ming Dynasty;

?
GAZETTE (Spoken News)

Notizie scritte: Modern Journalism is not so old. In 1556

A.D it was a trend in the city of Venice, the daily news was read out in the public gathering and
people were asked to pay Gazetta for the listening. This was the currency at that time and the
word Gazette emerged from it.

?
AVVISI (Hand Written newsletters )(1500-1700 CE):
It was related to political,military and economic news,throughout Europe,especially in Italy.

?
Printing Press Invention:
Started in Germany 1440 AD, by Johannes Gutenberg a goldsmith, around 1440, based on
existing screw-presses used to press cloth, grapes, etc. and possibly prints. Gutenberg was
the first in Western Europe to develop a printing press.

?
NEWS SHEET:
In the 16th century it was common in England, a handout was issued from the govt. which
contained the news. 1st written newspaper was issued in Germany in 1609 A.D

News from Spain: Same thing adapted by England in 1611 A.D. It was called as
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WEEKLY NEWS: Edited by Nathanial Buttler in 1620. This was the beginning of modern
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journalism in Europe

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CORANTO (Current Events): Second hand written newspaper from England published in
1622 A.D.

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Raja Umar Siddique

Information System in the History of Islam:

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Amir Muawiya was the first Caliph who setup Al-Barid (With the help of Horse)
It was a method to convey the govt. correspondence, and transmission of news
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Further enhanced by Abul Malik
?
The head of Al-Barid was responsible to keep the Caliph aware of all important events in his
?
vicinity. This head was known as Sahib-a-Barid Wal-Akhbar

Information System in South Asia:

The same system of Al-Barid was introduced in the Sub-continent by Gaznivids.
?

?
Alauddin Khilji used for commercial purposes as well
This was fully developed under Sher Shah Suri and later in Akbar's regime
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There were regular analysts and scripters in the Red Fort
?

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Diarists were appointed to record the daily activities of the court
These diaries were called as Akhbar-e-Darbar-e-Maala
?

?
Akhbar-e-Devri was being written in the court of Nawab of Audh
Syed Abdul Jalil Bilgrami, Mir Syed Muhammad Bilgrami and Mir Ghulam Ali Bilgrami are few
?
of the prominent diarists
The later Mughal
?

Emperors could not continue this practice due to the process of

disintegration, notorious corruption and decentralization

Establishment of parallel news agencies by Marathas, Sikhs and the British

?
Gradually all established news sources of the Mughals over taken by the British.
?

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Journalism During the Reigme of East India Company

The first printing press arrived in India on 6th September 1556 & was installed at the college of
?
St.Paul in Goa.
EIC arrived India on 31
?

st

Dec, 1600

Started mass communication in the year 1768

?

?
William Bolts established first printing press in Calcutta during EIC reign
On his departure to Britain he wrote a book from the same press
?
However The Bengal Gazette or Hicky's Gazette was the regular printed gazette in India
?

Hicky's Gazette:
James Augustus Hicky an EIC serviceman started it after differences and grievance against
?
the company, he became critic and was arrested and imprisoned

During imprisonment he conceived the idea to publish a gazette

?
First print came on 29
?

th

Jan, 1780

Four Page weekly in English Language

?
Contained local news and advertisements and sometimes a summary of European news as
?
well

On criticizing the Priest of church of Calcutta, Governor General and chief justice of supreme
?
court of Calcutta he was arrested and imprisoned alongwith a fine of rupees five thousand

After that he stopped publishing this gazette

?

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Raja Umar Siddique

India Gazette:
Issued under the supervision of EIC
?
Started to counter Hicky's Gazette
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Though it was a private gazette still fully patronized by EIC
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Initially it was weekly but soon became a daily
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Urdu Journalism in Pre-WoI Era

Jam-e-Jahan Numa: started in 1822, but due to very less circulation it was stopped after
?
few months

More literary and was a reflection of social behavior of that age

?

Delhi Urdu Akhbar: The de-facto founder of Urdu journalism in the India was Maulvi
?
Muhammad Baqir

Started Delhi Urdu Akhbar in 1837. Weekly in Urdu Language

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Its size was 20 x 30 . Its annual distribution was Rs. 20
?
News from across South Asia
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Hazoor-e-Wala and Sahib-e-Kalam were the two headings. Under first heading the activities
?
of the Red Fort reported by the correspondents and in the second one the activities of the govt.

It was closed down in 1857 when Maulvi Muhammad Baqir was shot dead
?
However his son Maulvi Muhammad Hussain Azad remained its editor for the last four years
?
It contained educational and literary news
?

Syed-al-Akhbar: Owner Syed Muhammad Khan Real Brother of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan
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Editor Maulvi Abdul Ghafoor
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Started in 1837
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Only 27 copies per day was the circulation of this paper
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Closed in 1850 due to financial problems
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Other non-prominent Urdu newspapers of that time were: Sadiq-ul-Akhbar, Karim-al-Akhbar,
?
Shimla Akhbar, Darya-e-Noor, Tilsmi Lacknow, Taj-al-Akhbar, Azam-al-Akhbar, Qutb-alAkhbar etc.

Koh-e-Noor: started in 1850 from Lahore by Munshi Harsukh Rai

?
Continued for more than half a century
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He was specially called by the British after annexation of Punjab in 1849 under the command
?
of Lord Dalhousie the Governor General of EIC in India

Financially supported by the British that is why it was a Pro-Govt. paper

?
The EIC installed a printing press for this paper publication in Lahore
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No doubt, it was a govt. paper still it criticized the govt. policies at times.
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It had the largest circulation of all the Urdu papers across the sub-continent
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Its total circulation was 350 copies per day
?
During its half a century long life it had many editors who used to edit the news
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It closed down in 1904
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Chashma-e-Faiz and Victoria Press were two other papers from Sialkot and Riyaz-e-Tor
?
was from Multan

Munshi Dewan Chand started Journalism in Sialkot, however Munshi Mehdi Hassan was
?
the pioneer in Multan

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Journalism in Post WoI Era
Being Muslims were considered as the culprits of the War, so the Urdu journalism suffered a lot
?
after the war
Before war there were 35 Urdu papers across India but after the war there remained only 12
?
and only one out of those edited by a Muslim. Rest of them were under the control of nonMuslims

Audh Akhbar: started in 1858, weekly in the beginning but after few years became a daily
?
and lasted for 90 years

Owner was Munshi Nawl Kishwar

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Neutral stance and believed in free press with some limitations
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That is why its rival Oudh Punch used to call it Bania Akhbar. However it had articles of
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both Muslim and Hindu scholars and worked as social reformer of that age

Journalism in Post WoI 1857 Era

Sir Syed Ahmed Khan:
Sir Syed Ahmad Khan was born in Delhi on October 17, 1817
?
An educationist, politician, religious scholar, social reformer and formulator of Two Nation
?
Theory.

Gulshan School at Muradabad 1859, Victoria School at Ghazipur 1863

?
He visited England in 1869-70 and on his return he opened M.A.O School at Aligarh which
?
became a college in 1875 and Aligarh Muslim University after his death in 1920

His brother Syed Muhammad Khan started a paper Syed-al-Akhbar in 1837, and he
?
continued it after the death of his brother

During the WoI he remained the supporter of the British rule however he changed his
?
afterwards and became a critic of British policies and attitudes

His most significant work is his famous pamphlets Causes of the Indian Revolt and Loyal
?
Muhammadans of India

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Sir Syed's Newspapers, Magazines & Pamphlets:

Risala-i-Asbab-e-Baghawat-e-Hind (A Pamphlet)
?
Loyal Muhammadans of India (A Pamphlet)
?
Scientific Society Magazine
?
Aligarh Institute Gazette
?
Tehzeeb-ul-Akhlaq
?

Risala-e-Asbab-e-Baghawat-e-Hind (The causes of the Indian Revolt-1857):

Explained causes of Mutiny to purify the biased minds of the British against the Muslims
?
The discriminatory attitude of the rulers (The British) was injurious for the larger interests of the
?
region

This attitude hurt the proud Muslims of the region, who ruled the land for centuries
?
Insisted that the removal of mistrust and enforcement or restoration of confidence was the cry
?
of the day

Muslims were not the sole responsible for this mutiny. It was the outcome of the general
?
resentment against the offensive & aggressive policies of the rulers

He emphasized the Muslims to go for English language and culture within the Islamic system
?

Loyal Muhammadans of India (1860):

He started publishing a journal Loyal Mohammedans of India in 1860
?
He published stories of Muslims who, risking their own safety, saved the lives of British
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Only a few issues of this journal were published; however
?
It helped to some extent to change the image of Muslims in the eyes of British
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Raja Umar Siddique

Scientific Society Magazine (1866):

He established the scientific society in 1864 to inculcate the scientific attitude among the
?
people

A few years later he started a journal, the Indian Institute Gazette for popularizing this society
?
In the beginning it was weekly and then turned into tri-weekly publication
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Started on March 3, 1866 and continued for 32 years
?

Content of Scientific Society Magazine:

It was a 16 pager with the Moto To permit the liberty of press is the part of govt. To
?
preserve it is a part of free people.

English 20%, Urdu 80%, News 28%, Editorial 13%, Articles 49%, Miscellaneous
?
10%

Brief news with accuracy

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Editorial by Sir Syed were independent and bold, advocated the rights of Indian Muslims and
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stated

Defense of native journalists

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Excellent typography and good quality paper
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Sobriety and maturity
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Tehzeeb-ul-Akhlaq:
This journal also known as Muhammadan Social Reformer
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To create awareness of modern way of life
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Political, social, educational and moral magazine
?
On the pattern of Tatler and Spectator of England started by Richard Steel and Joseph
?
Edison

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Raja Umar Siddique

It was a bi-lingual magazine started on 24 Dec, 1870

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No news but articles on the topics given above
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The Aligarh Institute Gazette:

Started in 1860 by Syed Ahmad Khan
?
It was not a newspaper for bringing news of everyday occurrences to its readers
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It reflected Muslim sentiments and point of view on religious, social and political aspects of
?
their lives

It was published both in Urdu and English languages and carried news about the activities of
?
the leaders of

Aligarh Movement:
The Aligarh Institute Gazette played a vital role in awakening of the Indians Muslims to
?
demand separate electorate their separate identity

This Gazette advised the Muslims of the subcontinent to boycott the forth-coming political
?
reforms if it did not contain the principle of separate Muslim electorate

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Raja Umar Siddique

Militant Journalism in the Subcontinent
Maulana Zafar Ali Khan:
Zamindar & Daccan Review
Zamindar was started in 1903 by Maulana Siraj-ud-din from Lahore. Zafar Ali Khan started
?
Daccan Review from Hyderabad. Famous writers were Shibli Nomani, Akbar Allahabadi,
Maulvi Abdul Haq

Exposed the evils of western society bitterly

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Weekly issued for the welfare of cultivators
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After his death, his son Mauana Zafar Ali Khan assumed it. Its first issue came under his
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editorship on 1st Jan, 1910 from Karramabad. Again shifted to Lahore in 1911

Played vital role in different movements like Khilafat Movement, Disobedience Movement and
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Pakistan Movement. It wrote in Muslims' favour with daring ability

That is why it is termed as beginning of the Militant Journalism in the Subcontinent

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During his father's regime its circulation was 3,000 but it raised to 30,000 during Zafar Ali
?
Khan's Era

First paper which used to collect news from API

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Maulana Muhammad Ali Johar:

Comrade & Hamdard
Excellent Orator and writer started Weekly English paper Comrade 1911 from Calcutta and
?
rd
Hamdard on Urdu in 23 Feb, 1913 from Delhi and shifted Comrade to Delhi as well

The objective of these two papers was to learn, to teach the masses and to impart impartial
?
news

Both were banned in 1914 after exposing the corruption of Lord Canning the Governor
?
General

Hamdard was restarted in 1929 but lasted for one year and closed down
?

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Raja Umar Siddique

Maulana Hasrat Mohani:

He started journalism with publishing a journal Urdu-e-Mualla in 1903 to promote Urdu
?
literature

Publication continued till 1930

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He republished an article published in an Egyptian Papers about the cruelties of the British in
?
the Subcontinent. This article was actually translated by a young fellow of Aligarh University
Iqbal Ahmed Sohail, but Hasrat followed the rules of journalism and didn't expose the
contributor because the British wanted to know the name of the person

He also started a Daily Mustaqbil to put forward his political philosophy for Indians
?

Maulana Abul Kalam Azad:

Started journalism at the age of 13 with the editorship of Al-Misbah. Issued Lissan-al-Sidiq
?
upto 1914

Remained editor of Wakil-e-Amritsar for few months

?
Issue Al-Hilal from Calcutta in 1912
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On criticizing the rulers he was asked to deposit Rs. 2000 as security. He did so. But eventually
?
banned in 1918. Reissued in 9127. He also started a magazine Al-Balaghwith religious
articles and no politics

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Raja Umar Siddique

Press in Different Regimes in Pakistan
Early Years (1947 1958):
Press came under sever action right after the death of Quaid-e-Azam in 1948
?
Public Safety Act was implemented in Oct, 1948
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In first 7 years after independence 31 newspapers were banned from publication
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This act did not spare even purely literary magazines like Naqoosh, Adb-e-Lateef and Savera
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1948 Faiz Ahmed Faiz was arrested on writing critical comments against the former British
?
Govt.

Safeena was the first paper which suffered ban, edited by Maulana Waqar Ahmed
?
Monthly Javed closed down on writing a short story Thanda Gosht by Sa'adat Hassan
?
Manto

Action against Nawa-e-Waqt on supporting Maulana Maudoodi in Tehreek-e-Khatm-e?

Nabuwat for full one year

The then govts. Started corruption in journalism by paying money not to publish against the
?
govt.

Action against the oldest paper of the subcontinent Civil and Military Gazette. Remained
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ban for 16 months after publishing apology

In sindh Weekly New Orient was the first victim. Al-Wahid Weekly closed down 1954 for no
?
reason

Daily Dawn published 2 editorials on the murder of Liaqat Ali Khan (Avende O'Lord
?
Slaughtered Saint and Call-in Scotland Yard)

1953 Daily Musalman was banned for breaking news of Prime Minister M.Ali Bogra getting
?
Married with a Lebanese lady Ms. Alia which was reported by Reuters as well and declared
correct

Demise of Orient Press International the first ever Muslim News agency
?

Ayub Era (1958 1969):

Started Press advice System that is an order to get permission from the govt. to publish
?
something

PID was established in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting

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Raja Umar Siddique

This act ruined the independence of press as the news lost its values
?
Grabbing PPL in 1959 on the charges that the group was working against the security of
?
Pakistan. Its crime was only that it was a leftist publication group. Ayub took this action to
please United States

Grabbing APP in 1961 on the reason that it was facing financial crisis so govt. will take care of it
?
Press and Publication Ordinance 1960 by the Federal Govt. and 1963 by the Provincial Govts.
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The blackest Law in the history of press in Pakistan
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To get permission from the govt. Issued by the district Magistrate. Remained in force 1960
?
1984. In 1984 a court order abolished it

Establishment of NPT in 1964. It was made for the support of the govt. and it used to change its
?
policy with the change in rulers.

Imposition of Emergency and DPR 1960

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1958 1969, Dailies 102 74, Weeklies 379 260
?

Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Era (1972 1977):

Continued anti-press policies. Banned a number of papers including Punjab Punch, Zindagi
?
& Urdu Digest

NPT revived
?
PPI was given to PPP member
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Grabbed the overall national press with the help of Nationalization
?

Zia-ul-Haq and Press (1977 1988):

Press relaxations in the earlier phase of regime. Imposed restriction after some time
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Pre-Press censorship policy introduced just like Press Advice System of Ayub Khan
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Not to publish political news as the political system was suspended
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Raja Umar Siddique

PPP's supporter Musawat closed down on supporting PPP's agitation against the military
?
rule

RPPPO (Registration of Press and Publication ordinance) imposed 1985

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Quota System on public advertisements
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Press Directives
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Self-censorship policy
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The Libel Act (Pakistan Penal Code 499 & 500), it forbade any kind of defamation even true
?
Deprived the press to act as Watchdog of the society
?

Governments of Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif (1988 1999):

Development in press opened the door for the press to flourish but gradually
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Many new papers came on scene and made their own audience
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They could not take bold steps against the press as their govt. tenure very short
?
Still Benazir's wish was to twist the neck of press like her father's act of grabbing PPI
?
Nawaz Sharif also wanted to show dominance as civil authoritarian and dictated undue terms
?
to PTV

Musharraf Era: (1999 2008):

It was like a dream come true for the press for the first time in Pakistan and Press was given
?
absolute freedom

Development of Cable TV networking

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Criticism on govt. activities is very common nowadays because of the same freedom given by
?
him

But his ordinances PEMRA in 2002 and for APP in 2004 again brought the press in chains
?
As per 2004 ordinance APP MD was to be appointed by the federal govt. and budget allocation
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as well

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Raja Umar Siddique

APP was restricted not to exercise free flow of information except the official version of it
?
He also restructured the PPO likewise Ayub Khan, Press and Newspapers Publication
?
Ordinance

He also promulgated Press Council Ordinance, 2002

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News Agencies Registration Ordinance, 2002
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Freedom of Information Ordinance, 2004
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Defamation Ordinance, 2002
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Ethical Code for the working journalists
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Allowed the public to have information regarding anything under certain limitations
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Violation fine was increased from Rs. 30,000 to Rs. 50,000 and imprisonment of 3 months.
?
This act was strongly criticized in the press but all in vain

Press Institutions
All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS):
In 1950, the Pakistan Newspapers Society (PNS) was founded but could not live long
?
Founders: Hameed Nizami, Altaf Hussain
?
Established to realize that the print media a) needed an organization and b) needed a clearing
?
house

The All Pakistan Newspapers Society is an organization of all the publishers of Pakistan
?
It was founded in 1953.At the moment, Dr Tanvir Tahir is the owner
?
To facilitate the exchange of views between the editors of the major publications of Pakistan
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To protect the rights of newspapers by giving them a voice to appeal unfair decisions against
?
them

Today, APNS is a clearing house of sorts for its member publications, safeguarding the
?
commercial interests of

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Raja Umar Siddique

APNS has 243 member publications and 71 accredited advertising agencies to date
?
These publications
?

include weeklies, monthlies, sports magazines, women magazines,

computer magazines, English and Urdu publications with the exception of trade journals or
newsletters

The APNS exists solely to give newspapers a voice if they are treated unfairly, or, as explained
?

above, to protect their commercial interest. (Editors and journalists have their own
organizations the Council of Pakistan Editors (CPNE) and the Pakistan Federal Union of
Journalists (PFUJ) respectively)

The APNS has been consistently denying the Wage Board award to its journalists
?
The struggles of the APNS, combined with the Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors
?
(CPNE) finally achieved the Freedom of Information Ordinance in 2002

Unfortunately, the Defamation Ordinance also snaked its way in, which prevented freedom
?
being practiced the way it should be

Where the print media in Pakistan stands rightnow is because of the efforts done by APNS for
?
more than half a century for the freedom of press and publications in Pakistan

APNS Awards/Other Awards by APNS

Client Performance Awards

Best Scoop

Product Launch Award

Best Column

Best Copy Award (English and Urdu)

Best Feature (English, Urdu, Regional)

Best Visual Design

Best Investigative Report

Public Service Campaign

Best Cartoon
Best Photograph
Best Article (English, Urdu, Regional)

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Raja Umar Siddique

Council of Pakistan Newspapers Editors (CPNE):

Established in 1957
?
The combined body of Newspaper Editors in Pakistan
?
To campaign for defense of press freedom and the right of access to information in the service
?
of democratic practice and strengthening of democratic institutions in the country

Code of Ethics which lays down the norms for maintaining the dignity of the print media
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Professional high standard in member publications in respect of publications of news, views,
?
comments and other write-ups

The CPNE has been in constant dialogue with the Pakistan Government and the provincial
?
Governments on the subject of press freedom

The CPNE has maintained collaborative relations with several International Print Media
?
Organizations

CPNE in its code of ethics has placed great stress on defending fundamental human rights in
?
which access to information is of great and critical significance

The CPNE has sponsored collaboration at the SAARC Level and at the bilateral level with
?
neighboring countries

Associated Press of Pakistan (APP):

Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) is a government-operated national news agency of
?
Pakistan

Not associated with the Associated Press agency (AP)

?
Founder Malik Taj-ud-Din
?
The evolution of the Associated Press of Pakistan as the National News Agency owes its
?
inspiration to the Father of the Nation, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah

In September, 1944, the Quaid-e-Azam in a special interview granted to Malik Tajuddin told
?

him that he was convinced that the emergence of an independent sovereign Muslim state the
time had come for Malik Tajuddin to take in hand preparatory work for the formation of
Pakistan's national news agency

On 1 January, 1949,
?

Taj-ud-Din as its Chief Executive exercised national control but

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accountable to Reuters London on financial matters as a first step towards the evolution of
Pakistan's national news agency
Its earlier Board of Trustees were: 1. The Chairman, who was nominated by the Chief Justice
?

of Pakistan (Mr. Justice W.M. Vellani). 2. Malik Tajuddin, Managing Trustee 3. Dr. S.M. Ikram
(Radio Pakistan) 4. Mr. M.A. Ispahani (East Pakistan Press) 5. Mr. Altaf Hussein (Dawn
Karachi) 6. Syed Amir Hussein (Pakistan Times Lahore) 7. Maulana Akhter Ali Khan
(President of the Pakistan Newspapers Editors Conference) 8. Pir Ali Muhammad Rashidi
(Sindh Observer Karachi) 9. Mr. H.M. Habibullah as a person engaged in commerce and
interested in the news services of the Trust

After few months a standing committee was established to regulate its matters. It consisted of
?
1) a Trustee representing the newspapers, (2) the Honorary Financial Adviser and (3) the
Managing Trustee which met once a month and the Financial Adviser checked the monthly
accounts. In 1979 it was redesigned as Board of Management

APP asked the Government of Pakistan for financial support, which was granted in the form of
?
loans and subsidies. Government support enabled APP to subscribe to the services of the
world's news agencies and to open offices in major cities of the country

When it was taken over by Ayub's Martial Law Administration in 1961, it owed about Rs. 8 lakh
?
to the government's Post and Telegraph Department and another Rs. 12 lac in unpaid
subscription fees to foreign news agencies. The Government of Pakistan intervened and took
over the agency on 15 July 1961 following the instruction of certain vested interests within the
Government of Pakistan

Besides its head office in Islamabad, APP maintains three bureaus (Karachi, Lahore and
?
Rawalpindi) and nine news centers (Sukkur, Multan, Quetta, Faisalabad, Larkana,
Hyderabad, Bahawalpur, Peshawar and Muzaffarabad)

Pakistan Press International (PPI):

A private sector national news agency (wire service)
?
provides national and international news to newspapers, radio and television stations
?
Pakistan's largest independent national news agency and enjoys the trust of its subscribers
?
for providing free, fair and unbiased coverage of news even in military and civilian dictatorial
regimes

It was established in 1956 by Mr.Muazzam Ali

?
Among its notable heads also has been Late Mr.Aslam Ali, who won The United Nations
?
Award for Press Heroes for upholding the principles of freedom of Press in Pakistan

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Raja Umar Siddique

accountable to Reuters London on financial matters as a first step towards the evolution of
Pakistan's national news agency
Its earlier Board of Trustees were: 1. The Chairman, who was nominated by the Chief Justice
?

of Pakistan (Mr. Justice W.M. Vellani). 2. Malik Tajuddin, Managing Trustee 3. Dr. S.M. Ikram
(Radio Pakistan) 4. Mr. M.A. Ispahani (East Pakistan Press) 5. Mr. Altaf Hussein (Dawn
Karachi) 6. Syed Amir Hussein (Pakistan Times Lahore) 7. Maulana Akhter Ali Khan
(President of the Pakistan Newspapers Editors Conference) 8. Pir Ali Muhammad Rashidi
(Sindh Observer Karachi) 9. Mr. H.M. Habibullah as a person engaged in commerce and
interested in the news services of the Trust

After few months a standing committee was established to regulate its matters. It consisted of
?
1) a Trustee representing the newspapers, (2) the Honorary Financial Adviser and (3) the
Managing Trustee which met once a month and the Financial Adviser checked the monthly
accounts. In 1979 it was redesigned as Board of Management

APP asked the Government of Pakistan for financial support, which was granted in the form of
?
loans and subsidies. Government support enabled APP to subscribe to the services of the
world's news agencies and to open offices in major cities of the country

When it was taken over by Ayub's Martial Law Administration in 1961, it owed about Rs. 8 lakh
?
to the government's Post and Telegraph Department and another Rs. 12 lac in unpaid
subscription fees to foreign news agencies. The Government of Pakistan intervened and took
over the agency on 15 July 1961 following the instruction of certain vested interests within the
Government of Pakistan

Besides its head office in Islamabad, APP maintains three bureaus (Karachi, Lahore and
?
Rawalpindi) and nine news centers (Sukkur, Multan, Quetta, Faisalabad, Larkana,
Hyderabad, Bahawalpur, Peshawar and Muzaffarabad)

Pakistan Press International (PPI):

A private sector national news agency (wire service)
?
provides national and international news to newspapers, radio and television stations
?
Pakistan's largest independent national news agency and enjoys the trust of its subscribers
?
for providing free, fair and unbiased coverage of news even in military and civilian dictatorial
regimes

It was established in 1956 by Mr.Muazzam Ali

?
Among its notable heads also has been Late Mr.Aslam Ali, who won The United Nations
?
Award for Press Heroes for upholding the principles of freedom of Press in Pakistan

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Raja Umar Siddique

Chronology of Progress of Radio Pakistan
March 1926 The Indian Broadcasting Company (IBC), a private Company, was formed
?
23rd July, 1927 IBC started a station at Bombay, thus beginning organized broadcasting in Indo?
Pakistan, sub-continent

1928 A small transmitting station was set up at Lahore

?
April 1930 Broadcasting was placed under the direct control of Government under the title 'Indian
?
State Broadcasting Service' (ISBS)

January 1934 The 'Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act (1933)' came into force
?
January 1935 NWFP Government set up a 250 watts transmitting station at Peshawar for
?
community listening

March 1935 Office of Controller of broadcasting created under the Department of Industries and
?
Labour of the Government

August 1935 Mr. Lionel Fielden assumed charge as the first Controller of Broadcasting
?
January, 1936 Delhi radio station was opened . Mr A.S.Bukhari Station Director Delhi becomes
?
deputy controller of broadcasting on July 9, 1936

8th June, 1936 The name of Indian State Broadcasting Service was changed as AIR
?
July 16, 1936 A station was inaugurated at Peshawar. This station was taken over by the
?
Government of India from the Government of NWFP on April 1, 1937

July 1942 The Peshawar radio station shifted in a regular broadcasting house December 1937
?
The Lahore Station went on air

March 1939 The Peshawar station was converted into a relay station
?
September 1939 News bulletins were centralized in all languages at Delhi. The same year, a
?
station was opened at Dhaka

Nov 12, 1939 Quaid-e-Azam's first radio broadcast from Bombay radio station on Eid day
?
Oct 24, 1941 The Department of Information and Broadcasting was set up
?
July 16, 1942 Peshawar radio station formally inaugurated
?

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Raja Umar Siddique

February 1943 Controller broadcasting was designated as Director General

?
3 June 1947 Quaid-e-Azam
?

Muhammad Ali Jinnah makes historic address on AIR and

announces the creation of the newly independent state of PAKISTAN for the muslims of the subcontinent

Aug 14,1947 Pakistan comes into being and the announcement of its creation is made by the new
?

organization, the Pakistan Broadcasting Service which comes into existence at the same time
and later designated as Radio Pakistan

Inaugurations of broadcasting stations and transmitters

?
1948 Rawalpindi-3 Radio Station with 500 Watt SW transmitter and Karachi Radio Station with
?
100 Watt SW transmitter were inaugurated

1949 Rawalpindi Station with 100-Watt MW transmitter was inaugurated

?
1950 Inauguration of a new broadcasting house at Karachi
?
1951 Foundation-stone of Hyderabad radio station with 1 kW MW transmitter was laid
?
17 Oct 1956 Quetta radio station and 1 kW MW transmitter was inaugurated
?
15 Oct. 1960 Inauguration of Rawalpindi-2 radio station with 1 kW SW transmitter and a receiving
?
center at Peshawar

1970 A staff Training School & Technical Training School Islamabad and Multan radio station with
?
120 kW MW transmitter inaugurated

21 April 1973 World Service for overseas Pakistanis inaugurated

?
1974 Foundation-stone of 100 kW Transmitter, Khairpur laid
?
18 Aug 1975 Inauguration of Bahawalpur radio station with 10 kW MW
?
1977 The main broadcasting unit of PBC, the Islamabad Radio station in the new National
?
Broadcasting house with 1,000 kW MW transmitter was inaugurated

1977 Inauguration of Gilgit radio station with 250 Watt MW transmitter and Skardu radio station
?
with 250 watt MW transmitter

1981 Turbat radio station with 250 Watt MW and D.I.Khan radio station with 10 kW MW
?
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Raja Umar Siddique

transmitter and Khuzdar radio station with 250 Watt MW inaugurated

15 Sept. 1982 Faisalabad radio station with 250 Watt MW came on air
?
7 May 1986 A new broadcasting house, Khairpur was inaugurated
?
1989 Inauguration of Sibi relay station with 250 Watt transmitter and Abbottabad relay station with
?
250 Watt transmitter .

Aug 1993 Chitral radio station with 1 kW FM transmitter was inaugurated

?
1996 Foundation stone of Loralai station and 10 kW MW transmitter and 10 kW MW transmitter at
?
Zhob were laid .

1997 Federal minister

?

of Information Mr. Mushahid Hussain Syed inaugurated the

computerization of the PBC news processing system and availability of the news bulletins on the
Internet in text and audio form.

In October 1998 Radio Pakistan started FM transmission.

?
2002 President General Pervez Musharraf Inaugurated FM101 Station at PBC Islamabad.
?
2005 new FM regular stations set up at Gawadar, Mianwali, Sargodha, Kohat, Bannu, Mithi.
?

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Raja Umar Siddique

Objectives of Radio Pakistan laid down in the PBC act:
To provide broadcasting services in the fields of information, education and entertainment
?
through programmes which maintain a proper balance in their subject matter and a high
general standard of quality and morality;

To broadcast programmes to promote Islamic Ideology, national unity and principles of

?
democracy, freedom, equality, tolerance and social justice as enunciated by Islam.

To reflect the urges and aspiration of the people of Pakistan and promote principles of
?
democracy and culture of freedom and tolerance.

To present news of events in as factual, accurate and impartial manner as possible and to
?
carry out instructions of Federal Government with regard to general pattern of policies in
respect of programmes.

To broadcast programmes in the External Services to foreign countries with a view to

?
promote friendship and project Pakistan's view point on international issues in true
perceptive.

Characteristics of Radio Pakistan:

i) Information

ii)

Education

iii)

Propaganda

iv)

Entertainment

Guidelines for Radio Pakistan formulated in 1997:

To provide information, education and entertainment in balanced manner, ensuring the
?
standard of quality and morality

To promote Islamic and Pakistan's Ideology, national unity, principles of democracy

?

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Raja Umar Siddique

Defamation:
Primarily journalist focused
?

Definition:

Any wrongful actor publication or circulation of a false statement or presentation made orally or in
written or visual form which injures the reputation of a person tends to lower him in estimation of
others or tends to reduce him to ridicule, unjust criticism, dislike, contempt or hatred shell be called
defamation

Types of Defamation:
1 Libel (Written or Visual)

2 Slender (Oral)

Defamation Methods:
Use of pictures, Signals, Sounds, Electronic Devices

What you not to do being journalist:

Use careful language while asking questions to personalities
?
If somebody says something wrong about anybody, you are not supposed to publish or
?
broadcast, until or unless you have sufficient evidence.

Be careful about words in writing a story; e.g; don't write arrested for corruption but arrested
?
for alleged corruption.

Reputation:
Reputation of a person is not just about what the person is?, but all about how he is looked at by the
public at large.

Punishments:
At first it was Rs. 15000/- and 3 months imprisonment, but now the punishment has been increased to
Rs. 50,000/- and 3 months of imprisonment or both. Plaintiff can ask for extra fine

Proportion of Cases:
90% of defamation cases come from media and 10% from other departments.

Injury:
Injury is defined as a damage done to the reputation of a person on the basis of which court of law
ascertains (determines) the amount of damages to be paid by the accused.
Prominent public or political figure Vs Common man
?
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Raja Umar Siddique

Big newspaper Vs Local or regional Paper

?

Respondents:
Politicians, Reporters, editors & Publishers. Even the hawker can be respondent

Absolute Privilege:
Any publication or statement made in the Federal or provincial legislatures, reports, papers, notes
and proceedings ordered to be published by parliament or assemblies or court of law or any other
government authority shall have the protection of absolute privilege

Qualified Privilege:
Any fair or accurate publication of parliamentary or judicial proceedings which the public may attend
and statements made to the proper authority to redress the public grievance shall have the protection
of qualified privilege.

Notice of action:
until or unless the plaintiff gives notice to the defendant within two months of the publication of
defamatory matter and 14days notice in writing of his intention to bring an action, specifying the
defamatory matter complained of.

Remedies:
The court may order the defendant to file an apology, if the plaintiff accepts it on publishing the same
kind of matter against the respondent with the payment of compensatory damages upto Rs. 50,000
or undergo 3 months imprisonment or both.

Trial jurisdiction and period:

Under the jurisdiction of District judge and to sum up the case in 6 months.

Appeal:
The appeal can be filed in High Court within 30 days of judgment of the District Court

Powers to make rules:

The federal government has the power to look after this ordinance and pass the rules time to time

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Raja Umar Siddique

Contempt of Court Ordinance, 1998:
An ordinance to regulate the exercise of the powers of courts to punish for contempt of court

Definition: Any willful disobedience to, or disregard of, a court order or any misconduct in the
presence of a court; action that interferes with a judge's ability to administer justice or that insults the
dignity of the court; punishable by fine or imprisonment or both.

Power: A judge who feels someone is improperly challenging or ignoring the court's authority has
the power to declare the person (called the contemnor) in contempt of court.

Types of Contempt: There are three types of contempt of Court; criminal, civil and judicial
Criminal Contempt: It occurs when the contemnor actually interferes with the ability of the court
to function properly - for example, by yelling at the judge. This is also called direct contempt because
it occurs directly in front of the judge. A criminal contemnor may be fined, jailed or both as punishment
for his act

Civil Contempt: It occurs when the contemnor willfully disobeys a court order. This is also called
indirect contempt because it occurs outside the judge's immediate realm and evidence must be
presented to the judge to prove the contempt. A civil contemnor, too, may be fined, jailed or both

Judicial Contempt:
It means the scandalisation of a court and includes personalized criticism of a judge while holding
?
office

Any person laying false information relating to the commission of an alleged judicial contempt shall
?
himself be liable to be proceeded against for contempt of court

Jurisdiction:Every superior court shall have the power to punish a contempt committed in relation to it.

Punishment:Any person who commits contempt of court shall be punished with imprisonment which may
?
extend to six months simple imprisonment, or with fine which may extend to one hundred
thousand rupees, or with both.

A person accused of having committed contempt of court may, at any stage, submit an
?
apology and the court, it satisfied that it is bona fide, may discharge him or remit his sentence.

In the case of a contempt having been committed, or alleged to have been committed, by a
?
company, the responsibility therefore shall extend to the persons in the company, directly or
indirectly, responsible for the same, who shall also be liable to be punished accordingly

Action on Criminal Contempt:

Sue-moto action
?
On the initiative of any person connected with the proceedings in which the alleged
?
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Raja Umar Siddique

contempt has been committed

On the application of the law officer of a provincial or the federal government
?

Fair reporting:
The publication of a substantially accurate account of what has transpired in a court, or of legal
proceedings, shall not constitute contempt of court

Criticism of judgments.No criticism of a judgment in a case which has been finally decided and is no longer pending shall
constitute contempt, no matter how far reaching or outspoken in nature it may be, if it is phrased in
temperate language and does not impute improper motives to the judge

Exemptions:
Parliamentary speech
?
Expunged material
?
Innocent publication
?

Substantial detriment: (Sizeable Harm):

No person shall be found guilty of contempt of court, or punished accordingly, unless the court is
satisfied that the contempt is one which is substantially detrimental to the administration of justice

Appeal:
In the case of an order passed by a single judge of a High Court, an intra-court appeal shall lie to
a bench of two or more judges in a case in which the original order has been passed by a division
or large bench of a High Court, an appeal as of right shall lie to the Supreme Court in the case of
an original order passed by a bench of the Supreme Court, an intra-court appeal shall lie to a
larger bench of the court The period of filing an appeal shall be thirty days

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Raja Umar Siddique

THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION RULES, 2004
1. Short title, application and commencement:
(1). These rules may be called the Freedom of Information Rules, 2004.
(2). They shall apply on public bodies.
(3). They shall come into force at once.

2. Definitions: In these Rules, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or

context.
(a). Ordinance means the Freedom of Information Ordinance, 2002 (XCVI of 2002), and
(b). All other words and expression used, but not defined herein, shall have
the same meanings as are assigned to them in the Ordinance.

3. Designated official:
(1). The head of every public body shall designate an official for a public body under his
administrative control for the purpose of providing duly attested photocopy of the public record to
the applicant, in accordance with the provisions of sections 7, 11, 12 and 13 of the Ordinance.
(2). The designated official shall be a senior officer of the public body not below BPS-19. In case
no such official has been designated or in the event of the absence or non-availability of the
designated official, the person incharge of the public body shall be the designated official, for the
purposes of these rules.

4. Application for obtaining information:

(1). Subject to sub-section (2) of section of the Ordinance, any citizen of Pakistan may apply on
the Application Form as set out in Annexure-1 for obtaining photocopy of the public record
available with the respective public body alongwith an initial fee of fifty rupees for ten or less than
ten pages to be deposited with the Cash Branch of the respective department under proper
receipt or in the State Bank of Pakistan or National Bank of Pakistan or Treasury under the
following heads of account, namely:
(a) major head 1300000 other receipts
(b) minor head 1390000 other; and
(c) detailed head 1391221 fee payable for obtaining information and copies of public record
(2). An amount of five rupees per page of photocopy shall be deposited in
the heads of account specified in sub-rule (1) of rule 4 for every additional page (standard size) if
the number of the pages of the record requested exceeds ten pages per requisition.
(3). In case of any Board, Commission, Council or other body established by,
or under, a Federal law, charges shall be deposited in their respective
heads of account.
(4). Subject to the availability of the facility each public body shall make available the Application
Form (Annexure-1) on its website.
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Raja Umar Siddique

Government for restricting the disclosure of information by the public

body concerned.

6. Procedure for filing of complaint with the head of public body:

In case the requisite information is not provided by the designated official of a public body within
twenty-one days, the applicant may, file a complaint with the head of that public body and the
head of such public body shall dispose of the complaint under intimation to the complainant
within thirty days of its receipt. In case the application is sent through mail it shall be disposed of
within prescribed time limit beginning from the date of the receipt in the office concerned.

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Raja Umar Siddique

MULTICHANNEL MULTIPOINT DISTRIBUTION SERVICES
Multi-channel multipoint distribution service (MMDS) also known as wireless cable, is a wireless
telecommunications technology. The signal of the MMDS station has a range of 40-50 km. The
MMDS band uses microwave frequencies from 2.5 to 2.69 GHz in range. Reception of MMDSdelivered television signals is possible with a special rooftop microwave antenna and a set-top
box for the television receiving the signals.

LIST OF MMDS LICENCES ISSUED BY PEMRA

S.#

Name of City

Sahiwal

Renala Khurd

Lahore

Karachi

Islamabad

Nankana Sahib

Name of the Company with Address

Mr. Omer Nazir
Chief Executive Officer
M/s Ranja Enterprises Pvt. Ltd.
7-Aziz Avenue Canal Bank Road Gulberg-V,
Lahore
Ph: 042-5757156
Fax: 042-5757158

Mr. Slaman Rasheed

Regional Manager
M/s Southern Networks
H # 190-A, Street 36, F-10/1,
Islamabad
Ph: 051-2215416,
2215421-31
Fax: 051-2105094
UAN: 111-222-333

Mr. Mumtaz Ahmed Qadri,

Chief Executive Officer,
M/s Pak Communications (Pvt) Ltd,
Office # 1, 3rd Floor, Super Trade Centre,
F-10 Markaz Islamabad
Ph: 2105916-8

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Raja Umar Siddique

Licencing procedure and fee structure are being finalized:

Duration of Licence:
10 YEARS

Application Processing Fee: (Non-refundable):

Rs.20,000 /-

Security Deposit:
10 % of the licence fee( refundable after one year of satisfactory performance).

DIRECT-TO-HOME TELEVISION DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

Subscribers in Pakistan are receiving satellite channels beamed through various satellites. The most
widespread reception method is through an intermediary in the form of a cable operator. The cable
operator establishes his own system comprising Dish Antennas, Modulators, Decoders, Coaxial
cable and line amplifiers etc. for relaying these channels to the subscribers.
One method of direct reception of these channels which can render greater and better-quality
coverage is the Direct-to-Home satellite television service. Through this service, subscribers or end
users, receive signals directly from geostationary satellites. Signals are broadcast in digital format at
microwave frequencies. The quality of picture is much better then analog. A DTH subscriber's
installation consists of a dish antenna two to three feet (60 to 90 centimeters) in diameter, a
conventional TV set, a signal converter placed next to the TV set, and a length of coaxial cable
between the dish and the converter. The dish intercepts microwave signals directly from the satellite.
T h e c o n v e r t e r p r o d u c e s o u t p u t t h a t c a n b e v i e w e d o n t h e T V r e c e i v e r.
There are also widespread complaints of piracy of foreign channels by some of the local cable TV
operators as well as individuals. Establishment of DTH service with proper authorization is expected
to eliminate such gray market activity to a large extent.
The number of channels will be decided by PEMRA based on the study of local needs, public interest,
availability of channels and their conformity with the Code of Conduct.
LICENCING STATUS The authority has approved the grant of two DTH licences. Licences will be
issued on fulfillment of Codel formalities.

SATELLITE TV :
SATELLITE TELEVISION CHANNEL:
Duration of Licence:15 YEARS
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Raja Umar Siddique

Application Processing Fee: (Non-refundable) : Rs.200,000 /Security Deposit:10% of the licence fee (refundable after one year on satisfactoryPerformance)

LANDING RIGHT :
If a Satellite TV channel is unlinked from abroad and the channel operator wants to distribute the
channel in Pakistan, he shell obtain permission (Landing Rights) from PEMRA for its distribution
on Distribution Service Networks.
Duration of Licence: 5 YEARS
Application Processing Fee: (Non-refundable) Rs. 200,000/-

CABLE TV:
Duration of Licence: 5 YEARS
Application Processing Fee: (Non-refundable) Rs.5,000 /Security Deposit: 10 % of the licence fee( refundable after one year on satisfactory
performance).

INTERNET PROTOCOL TV CHANNEL DISTRIBUTION SERVICES

Internet Protocol Television is a new method of delivering and viewing television programming
using an IP network and high speed broad band access technology. It provides triple service on a
single medium i.e. TV, internet and telephone.
Duration of Licence: 5 YEARS
Application Processing Fee: (Non-refundable) Rs.20,000 /Security Deposit: 10 % of the licence fee( refundable after one year on satisfactory
performance).

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Raja Umar Siddique

PEMRA (Organization):
To regulate broadcast media in Pakistan
?
For the development of broadcast media in Pakistan
?
Improve the standards of information, education and entertainment
?
Enlarge the choice available to the people of Pakistan in the media for news, current affairs,
?
religious knowledge, art, culture, science, technology, economic development, social sector
concerns, music, sports, drama and other subjects of public and national interest

Facilitate the devolution of responsibility and power to the grass-roots by improving the access
?
of the people to mass media at the local and community level

Ensure accountability, transparency and good governance by optimizing the free flow of
?
information

Establishment:
As soon as may be, after the commencement of this Ordinance, the Federal Government
?
shall, by notification in the Official Gazette, establish an Authority to be known as the Pakistan
Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) for carrying out the purposes of this
Ordinance

The Authority shall be a body corporate having perpetual succession and a common seal with
?
powers subject to the provision of this Ordinance to hold and dispose of property by the said
name, sue and be sued

The principal office of the Authority shall be at Islamabad and it may set up offices at such
?
place or places in the country as it may deem appropriate

No act or proceeding of the Authority shall be invalid by reason only of the existence of a
?
vacancy in, or defect in the constitution of, the Authority

Functions of the Authority:

The Authority shall be responsible for regulating the establishment and operation of all
?
broadcast and CTV stations in Pakistan established for the purpose of international, national,
provincial, district, local or special target audiences

Power of the Federal Government to issue directives:

The Federal Government may, as and when it considers necessary, issue directives to the
?
Authority on matters of policy, and such directives shall be binding on the Authority, and if a
question arises whether any matter is a matter of policy or not, the decision of the Federal
Government shall be final

Members of Authority:
The Authority shall consist of a Chairman and nine members to be appointed by the President
?
of Pakistan

The Chairman of the Authority shall be an eminent professional of known integrity and
?
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Raja Umar Siddique

competence having
?

substantial experience in media, business, management, finance,

economics or law

Out of nine members one shall be appointed by the Federal Government on full time basis and
?
five shall be eminent citizens chosen to ensure representation of all provinces with expertise in
one or more of the following fields: media, law, human rights, and social service Of the five
members from the general public, two members shall be women

Secretary, Ministry of Information and Media Development, Secretary, Interior Division and
?
Chairman, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority shall be the ex officio members

The members, other than ex-officio members, shall participate in all meetings and shall
?
receive such fee and expenses for each meeting as may be prescribed

Fund:
Seed money by the Federal Government
?
Fees for issuance of licences for establishing and operating broadcast or CTV stations
?
Loans obtained with the special or general sanction of the Federal Government
?
Foreign aid obtained with sanction of and on such terms and conditions as may be approved
?
by the Federal Government

All other sums received by the Authority from any other source
?

Categories of broadcast stations:

International scale stations
?
National scale stations
?
Provincial scale stations
?
Specific and specialized subject stations
?
Cable Television Network stations
?

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Raja Umar Siddique

Freedom of Information Ordinance 2002:
1. Short title, extent and commencement.- (1) This Ordinance may be called the
Freedom of Information Ordinance, 2002.
(2) It extends to the whole of Pakistan.
(3) It shall come into force at once.

2. Definition.- In this Ordinance, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context,(a) "complainant" means
(b) (i) a requester, or
(ii) any person acting for and on behalf of requester;
(b) "complaint" means any allegation in writing made by a complainant;
(i) where he is a requester, that access to record has been wrongfully denied to him by a public body;
(ii) where he is a requester, that access to and/or correction of his personal information has been
wrongfully denied to him by a public body having the custody or control of the record;
(iii) where is a requester that the information requested by him has been unduly delayed by a public body;
(c) "designated official" means an official of a public body designated under section 10;
(d) "employee", in relation to a public body, means a person employed in a public body whether
permanently or temporary;

of the Office of Federal Tax Ombudsman Ordinance, 2000 (XXXV of 2000);

(f) "Mohtasib" means the Wafaqi Mohtasib (Ombudsman) appointed under Article 3 of the
Establishment of the office of the Wafaqi Mohtasib (Ombudsman) Order, 1983 (P.O.NO. I of
1983);
(g) "prescribed" means prescribed by rules made under this Ordinance;
(h) "public body" means;
(i) any Ministry, Division or attached department of the Federal Government;
(ii) Secretariat of Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament)
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Raja Umar Siddique

(iii) any office of any Board, Commission, Council, or other body established by, or under, a
Federal law;
(iv) courts and tribunals;
(i) "record" means record in any form, whether printed or in writing and includes any map,
diagram, photography, film, microfilm, which is used for official purpose by the public body which
holds the record;
3. Access to information not to be denied.- (1) Notwithstanding anything contained in
any other law for the time being in force, and subject to the provisions of this Ordinance, no
requester shall be denied access to any official record other than exemptions as provided in
section 15.
(2) This Ordinance shall be interpreted so as
(i) to advance the purposes of this Ordinance, and
(ii) to facilitate and encourage, promptly and at the lowest reasonable cost, the disclosure of
information;
4. Maintenance and indexing of records.- Subject to provisions of this Ordinance and in
accordance with the rules that may be prescribed, each public body shall ensure that all records
covered under clause (i) of section 2 of this Ordinance are properly maintained.
5. Publication and availability of records.- The acts and subordinate legislation such as
rules and regulations, notifications, by-laws, manuals, orders having the force of law in Pakistan
shall be duly, published and made available at a reasonable price at an adequate number of
outlets so that access thereof is easier, less time-consuming and less expensive.
6. Computerisation of records.- Each public body shall endeavour within reasonable time
and subject to availability of resources that all records covered by the provisions of this
Ordinance are computerised and connected through a network all over the country on different
system so that authorised access to such records is facilitated.
7. Declaration of public record.- Subject to the provision of section 8, the following record
of all public bodies are hereby declared to be the public record, namely:-

(a) policies and guidelines;

(b) transactions involving acquisition and disposal of properly and expenditure undertaken by a
public body in the performance of its duties;

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Raja Umar Siddique

((c) information regarding grant of licenses, allotments and other benefits and privileges and
contract and agreements made by a public body;
(d) final orders and decisions, including decisions relating to members of public; and
(e) any other record which may be notified by the Federal Government as public record 'for the
purposes of this Ordinance,
8. Exclusion of certain record.- Nothing contained in section 7 shall apply to the following
record of all public bodies, namely:(a) nothing on the files;
(b) minutes of meetings;
(c) any intermediary opinion or recommendation;
(d) record of the banking companies and financial institutions relating to the accounts of their
customers;
(e) record relating to defence forces, defence installations or connected therewith or ancillary to
defence and national security;
(f) record declared as classified by the Federal Government;
(g) record relating to the personal privacy of any individual ;
(h) record of private documents furnished to a public body either on an express or implied
condition that information contained in any much documents shall not be disclosed to a third
person; and
(i) any other record which the Federal Government may, in public interest, exclude from the
purview of this Ordinance.
9. Duty to assist requesters.- A public body shall take necessary steps as may be
prescribed to assist any requester under this Ordinance.
10. Designation of official.- (1) A public body shall designate and notify an officer or employee to
whom requests under this ordinance are to be made. These officials will be designated to ensure easy
public access to information.

(2) In case no such official has been designated or in the event of the absence or non-availability
of the designated officials, the person in-charge of the public body shall be the designated official.

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Raja Umar Siddique

11. Functions of designated official.- Subject to the provisions of this Ordinance and the
rules made thereunder and the instruction if any, of the Federal Government, the designated
official shall provide the information contained in any public record or, as the case may be, a copy
of any such record.
12. Applications for obtaining information, etc.- (1) Subject to the sub-section (2), any
citizen of Pakistan may make an application to the designated official in the form as may be
prescribed and shall with his application, furnish necessary particulars, pay such fee and at such
time as may be prescribed.
(2) Nothing contained in sub-section (1) shall apply to such public record as has been published
in the official Gazette or in the form of a book offered for sale.
13. Procedure

for disposal of applications.- (1) Subject to sub-section (2),on receiving

an application under section 12, the designated official shall, within twenty-one days of the receipt
of request, supply to the applicant the required information or, as the case may be, a copy of any
public record.
(2) In case the designated official is of the opinion that(a) the application is not in the form as has been
(b) the applicant has not furnished necessary particulars or has not paid such fee as has been
prescribed;
(c) the applicant is not entitled to receive such information;
(d) the required information or, as the case may, be the required record does not constitute a
public record under section 7;
(e) the required information or, as the case may be, the required record constitutes -a record
which is excluded under section 8;
He shall record his decision in writing and the applicant shall be informed about such decision
within twenty-one days of the receipt of the application.
(3) The information from, or the copy of, any public record supplied to the applicant under subsection (1), shall contain a certificate at the foot thereof that the information is correct or, as the
case may be, the copy is a true copy
of such public record, and such certificate shall be dated and signed by the designated official.
14. Exempt information from disclosure.- Subject to the provisions of this Ordinance, a
public body shall not be required to disclose exempt information.

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15. International relations.- (1) Information may be exempt if its disclosure would be likely
to cause grave and significantdamage to the interests of Pakistan in the conduct of international
relations.
(2) In the Section, "international relations" means relations between Pakistan and
(a) the government of any other foreign State; or
(b) an organisation of which only States are members.
16. Disclosure

harmful to law enforcement.- Information may be exempt if its disclosure

is likely to
(a) result in the commission of an offences
(b) harm the detection, prevention, investigation or inquiry in a particular case;
(c) reveal the identity of a confidential source of information;
(d) facilitate an escape from legal custody;
(e) harm the security of any property or system, including a building, a vehicle, a computer
system or communications system.
17. Privacy and personal information.- Information is exempt if its disclosure under this
ordinance would involve the invasion of the privacy of an identifiable, individual (including
individual) other than the requester.
18. Economic and commercial affairs.- Information is exempt if and so long as its
disclosure
(a) would be likely to cause grave and significant damage to the economy as a result of the
premature disclosure of the proposed introduction, abolition of variation of any tax, duty, interest
rate, exchange rate or any other instrument
of economic management;
(b) would be likely to cause significant damage to the financial interests of the public body by
giving an unreasonable advantage to any person in relation to a contract which that person is
seeking to enter into with the public body for
the acquisition? or disposal of property or the supply of goods or services, or
(c) by revealing information to a competitor of the public body, would be likely to cause significant
damage to the lawful commercial activities of the public body.

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19. Recourse of the Mohtasib and Federal Tax Ombudsman.- (1) If the applicant is not
provided the information or copy of the record declared public record under section 7 within the
prescribed time or the designated official refuses to give-such information or, as the case may be,
copy of such record, on the ground that the applicant is not entitled to receive such information or
copy of such record, the applicant may, within thirty days of the last date of the prescribed time for
giving such information or, as the case may be, of such record, or the communication of the order of
the designated official declining to give such information or copy of such record, file a complaint with
the head of the public body and on failing to get the requested information from him within the
prescribed time may file a complaint with the Mohtasib and in cases relating to Revenue Division, it
subordinate departments, offices and agencies with the Federal Tax Ombudsman.
(2) The Mohtasib or the Federal Tax Ombudsman, as the case may be, may, after hearing the
applicant and the designated official, direct the designated official to give the information or, as the
case may be, the copy of the record or may reject the complaint.
20. Dismissal of frivolous, vexations and malicious complaint.- Where a complaint
instituted is found to be malicious, frivolous or vexatious, the complaint may be dismissed by
Mohtasib, and fine may be imposed on the complainant up to an amount not extending ten thousands
rupees.
21. Offence: Any person who destroys a record which at the time it was destroyed was the subject
of a request, or of a complaint with the intention of preventing its disclosure under this Ordinance,
commits an offence punishable with imprisonment for, a term not exceeding two years, or with fine, or
with both.
22. Indemnity.- No suit, prosecution or other legal proceedings shall lie against any person for
anything which is done in good faith or intended to be done in pursuance of this Ordinance or any
rules made thereunder;
23. Ordinance not to derogate other laws.- The provisions of this Ordinance shall be in
addition to, and not in derogation of, anything contained in any other law for the time being in force.
24. Power to remove difficulties.- If any difficulty arises in giving effect to the provisions of this
Ordinance, the Federal Government may, by order in the official Gazette, make such provisions not
inconsistent with the provisions of this Ordinance as appear to it to be necessary or expedient for
removing the difficulty.
25. Power to make rules.- (1) The Federal Government may, by notification in the official
Gazette, make rules for carrying out the purposes of this Ordinance.
(2) In particular and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing powers, such rules may
provide for:
(a) The fee payable for obtaining information from, and copies of the public record;
(b) The form of application for obtaining information from, and copies of, the public record; and
(c) The form in which information from public record shall be furnished.

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[ THINKING IS A TALKING TO SOUL ]

Msc Mass Comm (Semester 1st) ,Numl,Islamabad-2010