ISLAMABAD: On Monday, the Supreme Court issued updated guidelines for beat reporters, explicitly prohibiting them from recording YouTube programs and interviews within the Supreme Court building.
In a letter directed to the SC press association and the Superintendent of Police (SP), Shahid Hussain Kamboyo, the SC Public Relations Officer (PRO), emphasized that beat reporters could enter the SC premises after undergoing security checks, frisking, and bag/purse searches conducted by police personnel.
The letter emphasized the necessity of media personnel cooperating with the security staff.
The guidelines further stated that no media person would be permitted to record video clips, interviews, or YouTube programs inside the Supreme Court Building. Additionally, the apex court spokesperson specified that media persons would not be allowed to carry cell phones into the courtrooms.
In situations where exclusive entry was required for a limited number of journalists due to space constraints and heightened security during significant case hearings, the notification outlined that one representative from each media house would be granted entry.
Other journalists would be accommodated in alternative courtrooms to observe the proceedings.
A day prior to the issuance of the guidelines, the Supreme Court released its first quarterly report spanning from September 17 to December 16, 2023. The report disclosed that the apex court had disposed of more than 5,000 cases in the four-month period.
Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa highlighted that this move, aligning with the people’s right to information as outlined in Article 19-A of the Constitution, aimed to enhance the top court’s service to the people of Pakistan.
The report emphasized the expeditious handling of cases by the SC, stating that it had resolved 5,305 cases between September and December 2023, surpassing the 4,466 cases filed during that period.
