A full bench of the Lahore High Court (LHC) Monday ordered Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) and Press Council of Pakistan (PCP) to put a complete ban on broadcast and publication of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain’s activities.
The bench ordered PEMRA and PCP chairmen to completely blackout activities of Hussain, including hate speeches, news regarding his activities and display of his picture.
The bench comprising Justice Syed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi, Justice Mazhar Iqbal Sidhu and Justice Erum Sajad Gull passed the interim orders while hearing three identical petitions filed by Malik Maqsood Ahmad Awan, Aftab Ahmad Virk and Abdullah Malik for proceedings against Hussain under Article 6 of the Constitution.
During the hearing, an additional attorney general appeared before the court on being summoned and submitted that the report regarding citizen status of Hussain had not yet been received from the ministry concerned. However, he assured that the report would be submitted by the next hearing.
To a query, PEMRA’s counsel submitted a copy of notification issued on May 1, 2015, wherein all television channels were stopped from airing hate speeches.
At this stage, petitioner’s counsel submitted that Hussain’s speeches were against the integrity and sovereignty of the country. “By making speeches against the armed forces and other law enforcing agencies, he tried to ridicule the whole nation in the eyes of international community,” he added.
The counsel further submitted that PEMRA’s directions did not serve the purpose as they were of “generalized nature”. He pleaded the court to restrain the authorities concerned from broadcast or publication of speeches and news of Hussain during the pendency of the case.
The petitioners through their petitions submitted that Hussain’s speeches were tantamount to treason as these were not only anti-Pakistan but also anti armed forces. They pleaded the court for issuing directions to initiate proceedings against Hussain under Article 6 of the Constitution. They also pleaded for proceedings against MQM Rabita Committee members and Parliamentarians under Article 62 and 63 of the Constitution.
Addressing a press conference at Karachi Press Club along with MQM lawyer Barrister Farogh Naseem, MQM leader Farooq Sattar said they would challenge the court decision.
He opined the court had not fulfilled the requirements of justice by not hearing the stance of their party. He said the Article 19 of Pakistani Constitution allows citizens to express their views freely. He said the party has decided to challenge LHC decision in LHC and Supreme Court.
