Lahore High Court (LHC) banned local media from broadcasting speeches of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Chief Altaf Hussain, on Monday.
According to reports, a three-member full bench of Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday heard the case regarding action against Altaf Hussain, under article 6.
LHC also summoned the record of his speeches and his nationality for the next hearing.
The hearing was conducted on four petitions submitted in the court.
One of the petitioners, Aftab Virk, said that Altaf Hussain gave statements against the country and Pakistan Army which is equal to treason.
The petition also stated that the federal government, foreign ministry and information ministry had not taken any notice of his statements; therefore, the court should take action against Altaf Hussain under article 6 of the Constitution.
The article in question, which deals with “High Treason”, says:
“High treason.—[(1) Any person who abrogates or subverts or suspends or holds in abeyance, or attempts or conspires to abrogate or subvert or suspend or hold in abeyance, the Constitution by use of force or show of force or by any other unconstitutional means shall be guilty of high treason.]
(2) Any person aiding or abetting 2[or collaborating] the acts mentioned in clause (1) shall likewise be guilty of high treason.
[(2A) An act of high treason mentioned in clause (1) or clause (2) shall not be validated by any court including the Supreme Court and a High Court.]
(3) [Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament)] shall by law provide for the punishment of persons found guilty of high treason.”
The full member bench included Justice Mazahir Ali Akbar Naqvi, Justice Mazhar Iqbal Sindhu and Justice Irum Sajjad.