ISLAMABAD – Chief Justice of Islamabad High Court (IHC) Justice Athar Minallah on Monday observed that no one was authorized to declare any citizen as traitor until the state prove it with solid evidences.
He gave these remarks during hearing a petition of ‘Labaik Company’ against the fine imposed by Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA). On a query of the bench, the petitioner’s lawyer said one could face imprisonment sentence on leveling fabricated allegations on someone for committing blasphemy. If the intention was to murder someone through the fake allegation then the crime would be more serious, he said.
To another query, the lawyer said his client had not declared anyone as traitor. PEMRA’s lawyer adopted the stance that Bol TV had defended its stance before the body regarding declaring Geo TV as traitor. The authority could impose maximum fine worth Rs one million on any channel on fabricated allegation.
The lawyer of Labaik Company contended that his client media organization didn’t level allegation instead it had just telecasted the program. The chief justice said it means the petitioner was admitting to telecast controversial material.
PEMRA’s lawyer said telecasting of such contents was violation of authority’s code of conduct and the concern channel was imposed Rs one million fine.
The petitioner’s lawyer prayed the court to grant more time for the arguments at this the hearing of the case was adjourned.
Meanwhile, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday reserved its judgment in a miscellaneous petition of Monal Restaurant’s administration against taking land’s possession by Capital Development Authority (CDA) without given time for vacation.
A two-judge bench comprising Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb heard the case.
At the outset of hearing, the court asked the Deputy Commissioner ICT that who would be responsible if substances of the owner went missing. The court had clearly given instruction in its order for giving time to the Monal Restaurant’s administration to pick its substances from the land.
The DC said that they had formed a committee in this regard. Justice Aamer Farooq remarked that many things would be clear in detailed judgment of the single member bench but it was clear that the Monal owner should be allowed to take out equipments.
The court asked the lawyer of Monal Restaurant that it could collect its equipment. Monal’s lawyer expressed doubt that CDA may award such land to someone else.
Justice Farooq remarked that now it was clear that no commercial activity could take place at the said land. Monal’s lawyer prayed the court to issue a stay order against the current situation of Monal. The bench subsequently reserved its judgment regarding the matter.
Source: The Nation
