Gharidah Farooqi could not even tell the abbreviation of PPRA.
Lahore (Pakistan Point News – 9th January, 2019) Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar grilled tv anchor Gharidah Farooqi for criticising dams’ project in her show.
A five-member bench headed by CJP Nisar held the hearing of the case regarding construction of Diamer Bhasha and Mohmand Dams.
Anchor Gharidah Farooqi appeared before the Supreme Court.
Justice Umar Ata Bandial asked the anchor about the meaning of PPRA. However, Gharidah could not tell the meaning of PPRA which is Public Procurement Regulatory Authority, and made a laughing stock of herself.
Justice Ijaz ul Ahsan then inquired, “Who does the research for your show?”
Responding to this, Gharidah said she has a whole research team.
To this, the CJP asked, “Don’t you have any team to inspect unhygienic sweets?”
Hitting at Gourmet sweets, he said when we find germs in these sweets, they create a hue and cry.
The CJP then asked Gharidah, “Don’t you want the dams to be built?”
The PEMRA chairman then said the authority will issue a show cause notice to Gourmet news Network (GNN) and will seek a clarification.
The angry CJP then asked the PEMRA chairman to suspend the license of GNN. “The GNN’s owner couldn’t even come to the hearing,” he added.
Dam is the interest of the country, he said.
“You say there has been a violation of PPRA. Do you know about the PPRA rules?” the CJP asked Gharidah.
Gharidah Farooqi could not even tell the abbreviation of PPRA.
Justice Ahsan said, “If you speak against the contract of the dam, it will be against the construction of dam.”
The CJP then said, “How was GNN able to get a TV license, Why are such channels issued license? GNN owners had apologised to the court before too.”
Gharidah then said, “Sir, you are the saviour of the country.”
“If you are calling me a saviour, then support dams,” CJP remarked.
Gharidah said that she herself donated for the dams fund.
During the hearing, the CJP sought a reply from PEMRA over media channels criticising the bidding of the dam.
