C.P. No. 3506/2020 14 a diverse pool of applicants; (iii) set up an application process that requires interested individuals to submit their credentials, relevant experience and a statement explaining their motivation for serving on the regulatory body. This information will be used to evaluate the suitability of each applicant; (iv) establish an independent selection committee composed of representatives from different sectors, e.g. media, academia, civil society, to review applications and recommend candidates. The committee should ensure a transparent and impartial selection process; and (v) provide the members, once appointed, with training and orientation on media regulation, ethics and relevant laws. This will help them make informed decisions and effectively contribute to the regulation of media content. The inclusion of public representatives in media regulation, in this manner, can contribute to greater transparency, diversity and public trust in the media ecosystem. 21. Having examined the contentions advanced on behalf of PEMRA and after reading the provisions of Sections 26 and 27 in conjunction with other relevant provisions of the PEMRA Ordinance and the Councils of Complaints Rules made thereunder, we are of the considered opinion that Section 27(a) of the PEMRA Ordinance is not an independent and self-governing provision; it rather requires for its applicability the opinion of a Council of Complaints regarding the objectionable aspect of a programme or advertisement in terms of Section 26(2) of the PEMRA Ordinance read with the Councils of Complaints Rules. The question is answered accordingly. 22. In view of the above answer to the question, we find that the High Court is correct in holding that PEMRA could not have bypassed the Councils of Complaints in making the prohibition order and has rightly set aside the prohibition order. However, the High Court should have also specified that the matter of making a review of the objectionable aspect of the drama serial was to be referred by PEMRA to the Council of Complaint concerned, and after receiving and considering the opinion of that Council, PEMRA could make an appropriate order. With the said clarification, we find nothing wrong in the impugned judgement. Therefore, we dismiss the petition and decline the leave to appeal. Regulating content: what is “obscene”, “vulgar” and “offensive to the commonly accepted standards of decency” 23. It is important to understand on what standards the members of the Councils of Complaints will assess the media content. Every statute is in the public interest and must always align and flow with the text and

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