The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday dismissed a petition filed against the upcoming release of Indian movie Bajrangi Bhaijaan in Pakistani cinemas. A single member bench comprising Justice Amir Farooq declared that the petition was not maintainable as the petitioner had no locus standi (right to speak) in the matter. Moreover, the court observed that the petition did not contain relevant information and documents were not attached along with the petition.
Alliance for Welfare Society for Development Advocacy (AWSDA) had filed a writ petition to suspend the exhibition of Indian movie in Pakistan till the final adjudication of the instant suit by the court in the larger interest of justice since the movie is stuffed with venom against Pakistan.
The petitioner through its counsel, Barrister Masroor Shah, contended before the court that under Article 199 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan 1973, against the exhibition of an Indian film Bajrangi Bhaijaan produced and directed by Kabir Khan. Earlier, Pakistan's central censor board has cleared Bajrangi Bhaijaan but with several cuts. A panel comprising members of national security agencies, film critics and members of the civil society, has approved the film after in-depth and thorough discussion for its public exhibition in Pakistan with effect from July 17, 2015.