An Islamabad Court on Thursday issued arrest warrants for the owner of ARY Network Salman Iqbal, anchorperson Mubashir Luqman, Aqeel Karim Dhedhi and Naeem Hanif in a criminal case pertaining to defamation of Jang/Geo Group.
Additional District and Sessions Judge Islamabad (West) Wajid Ali heard the criminal complaint filed by Independent Media Corporation (IMC) against Iqbal and five others, including Luqman.
During the hearing, the court issued arrest warrants for Iqbal, Luqman, Dhedhi and Hanif for failing to appear before the court in person.
Two other respondents in the case, Islamabad Bureau Chief Sabir Shakir and Lahore Bureau Chief Arif Hameed, appeared before the court and were ordered to submit Rs50,000 surety bonds for their bail.
During the hearing, the court had summoned all of them.
The respondents had allegedly defamed senior journalists and top management of Pakistan’s largest and most popular media group, Geo and Jang.
The court had assigned the case to an enquiry officer who submitted his findings in the court.
The accused may be tried under sections 500 and 501 of the Pakistan Penal Code.