The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Tuesday declared ban on Urdu feature film 'Maalik' null and void. The movie is likely to be released soon across Pakistan. Director Asher Azeem's 'Maalik' was banned in April current year by the federal Ministry of Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage declaring the movie 'anti-Pakistan.' Azeem, a prominent director, writer and actor, had challenged the ban in Sindh High Court, stating that film was made with cooperation of Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) and does not contain anything that goes against public interest.
The ban imposed three weeks after the movie's nation-wide release, stirred debate on freedom of expression on the social media and drew condemnation from various opposition party leaders. Issuing its ruling on the director's petition, the Sindh High Court declared the government's ban as null and void, allowing Asher Azeem to release his film countrywide. Speaking to media persons Azeem, who was very happy with the decision, said he would hold an urgent meeting with the film distributors to discuss the screening as soon as possible. He rejoiced the ruling on Twitter.