The Lahore High Court (LHC) has conditionally allowed anchorperson Mubasher Lucman to appear on air, after Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) banned him last month for telecasting scandalous and defamatory programmes against the judiciary.
A five-judge LHC bench headed by Justice Syed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi allowed Lucman to continue his programme ‘Khara Sach’ after he appeared in court on Monday and apologised for the defamatory show, his lawyer Ramzan Chaudhry said.
“I appeared (in court) with the respondents and pleaded for the mercy of the honourable court. I informed the bench that we will not be contesting the contempt of court notice, that my client had no intention of disrespecting the judiciary. The court was gracious and accepted our apology,” said Chaudhry.
The court has allowed ARY NEWS to air the programme until November 28, the next hearing when the bench will meet for final adjudication of the case.
PEMRA had banned ‘Khara Sach’ and its host from appearing on any TV program in any capacity on October 19 citing orders of the LHC.
The court had placed restrictions on airing of the show and participation of the anchor in any TV programme for airing an interview of Asim Malik, owner of a firm Future Concern, in which serious allegations had been levelled against the judiciary.
Speaking to a local TV channel, Lucman said he respects the judiciary and that he filed a compassionate appeal before the honourable court.
“I am a grateful and I won’t term it a victory or defeat of anyone,” he said.
