The Lahore High Court here on Friday issued bailable arrest warrants for president of a private news channel Salman Iqbal, its anchorperson Mubashar Lucman, producer of programme "Khara Sach" and the owner of a defunct 'visa consultancy' firm Asim Malik. It directed Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) to ensure a ban on programme "Khara Sach" till a final decision in this regard.
The Pemra was further directed to ensure that "Mubashar Lucman 'anchorperson' does not participate in any programme on any television channel being aired in Pakistan either as a host, an observer or a participant." The court directed the federal government to put the name of Lucman on Exit Control List (ECL) in order to avoid his possible escape. The court also directed DIG Operations Haider Ashraf, who was present in the court, to ensure the service of the warrants upon the respondents.
The court had sought their personal appearance in a suo motu proceedings initiated against broadcasting an interview of Asim Malik, who is said to be a proclaimed offender in hundreds of fraud cases, purportedly aimed at maligning superior judiciary and its judges. Earlier, the counsel of the respondents told the court that Lucman and his programme producer were busy at Islamabad in connection with their cases before Supreme Court.
Justice Syed Mazahar Ali Naqvi while proceeding with the case observed that the matter in hand was serious one. According to him, continued attempts have been made to malign judges of superior judiciary in Pakistan under the garb of "freedom of expression". The judge adjourned the hearing of case to October 21 and referred the case file to Chief Justice to constitute a larger bench on the matter.
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