The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has dismissed due to lack of evidence, a petition filed against a speech by Muttahida Qaumi Movement Chairman Altaf Hussain from abroad in which he “invited the army to take over the country’s reigns”.
A single bench of IHC led by Justice Athar Minallah took up a petition filed by a citizen Shahid Orakzai for hearing Friday.
The petitioner contended that the head of a political party while delivering speech outside the country said that the army should take over the power and hold the reins of the country.
Justice Minallah enquired from the petitioner what evidence he had in this connection.
The petitioner said that the speech of any political leader even the speech of the president of Pakistan “cannot be broadcast from outside the country as per the constitution”.
The court should summon Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) chairman and tell him to clarify the incident, contended the petitioner, adding that PEMRA has to regulate speeches which come in print and electronic media.
The court directed the petitioner to furnish evidence in this regard.
Justice Minallah said that the Pakistan Army is fighting on several fronts against terrorism and the parliament is in place in the country. The parliament is also facing diverse challenges, therefore the court will not issue any such order, said the judge.
It may be recalled that previously this court had imposed a fine on the petitioner for want of evidence and wasting the time of court in petition filed by him against the appointment of the chief election commissioner. The court had also rejected the petition.
