JournalismPakistan.com | Published May 19, 2014
Join our WhatsApp channelISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court has asked a group of news anchors, a religious singer, a poet, and others to respond to blasphemy charges following the airing of a controversial song-and-dance routine.
The court was responding to a petition filed by a group linked to the hardline Red Mosque against the broadcast of an actress' wedding that was set to a religious song. The show was aired last week by the Geo News network, which has been caught up in a struggle with the all-powerful military following the shooting of a star journalist who later accused the head of the intelligence services of being behind the attack.
In his petition, advocate Tariq Asad named not only the host of the show, who has already issued a public apology, but also the anchor of a rival program on the ARY channel for repeating the offending segment in an apparent effort to push for Geo's closure.
"The hype was created by a host of a rival television channel who repeatedly telecast the song and in my view he is the real culprit," he said, referring to popular news anchor Mubasher Luqman (pictured).
The morning show broadcast set off a storm of controversy on social media, though similar routines by other channels in the past have largely gone unnoticed.
Some observers accuse the military, which is seeking the closure of Geo News, of being behind the blasphemy campaign.
The blasphemy petition also named Amjad Sabri, the renowned Qawwali (Sufi devotional) singer who featured on the show, the poet who wrote the song, the country's media regulatory body and the Council of Islamic Ideology, its top religious authority.
Police on Saturday lodged separate charges against actress Veena Malik and her husband who featured in the morning show, the head of the Geo group and the program host.
A recent report from a US government advisory panel said Pakistan used blasphemy laws more than any other country in the world, listing 14 people on death row and 19 others serving life sentences for insulting Islam.
Rights campaigners say Pakistan's blasphemy laws are often used to settle personal disputes. – AFP
April 30, 2025: Freedom of expression in Pakistan is under threat, as the 2025 Freedom Network report reveals increased arrests, censorship, and legal restrictions following amendments to PECA, posing serious risks to journalists and democratic values.
April 30, 2025: Dawn has criticized the Indian media's calls for war and condemned the banning of 16 Pakistani YouTube channels, urging a rational response after the Pahalgam attack that left 26 dead.
April 28, 2025: India has banned 16 Pakistani YouTube channels, including major news outlets and individual journalists, following the deadly Pahalgam attack. Tensions escalate as Islamabad demands a neutral probe.
April 23, 2025: Pakistani journalists respond in unison to a post hinting at a possible Indian military strike. Citing the 2019 ‘Swift Retort,’ they warn of a stronger response if provoked again.
April 21, 2025: After being expelled from PTI, MNA Sher Afzal Marwat launches personal attacks on journalists and Aleema Khan, sparking outrage on social media over his offensive remarks.
April 21, 2025: Journalist Sanaullah Khan reveals that the FIA has launched a financial crackdown on YouTubers by freezing the bank accounts of journalists and their family members—raising serious concerns over freedom of expression and legal process.
April 20, 2025: Dr. Nauman Niaz launched his fifteenth book, In A Different Realm: Story of Quadruple and Triple Centuries 1876–2025, at an elegant Islamabad event, reflecting on cricket’s rarest feats and his journey as a scholar of the game.
April 11, 2025: Sindhi journalist AD Shar was brutally murdered in Khairpur, Sindh. His body was found dumped on Handiyari Link Road. PFUJ has declared a three-day mourning period and demanded justice.
April 23, 2025 Discover Dr. Nauman Niaz’s In A Different Realm: Story of Quadruple & Triple Centuries 1876–2025, a profound exploration of cricket's most monumental innings, blending historical analysis with poetic narrative.
April 22, 2025 Once a beacon of hope for Pakistan's cricket revival, the Pakistan Super League now grapples with stagnation and moral compromises. Can this cultural symbol reclaim its lost soul?
April 21, 2025 An Italian newspaper, Il Foglio, successfully published a month-long AI-written insert and praised its irony and analytical abilities, while affirming that AI will complement—not replace—quality journalism.
April 03, 2025 The International Press Institute (IPI) and International Media Support (IMS) invite nominations for the 2025 World Press Freedom Hero and Free Media Pioneer Awards. Recognizing courageous journalists and innovative media, the awards will be presented at IPI’s 75th-anniversary World Congress in Vienna. Submit your nominations by April 30, 2025.
April 01, 2025 Photojournalist Suresh Rajak was burned alive while covering a violent protest in Kathmandu. The IFJ and its affiliates condemn the attack and call for an urgent investigation to hold the perpetrators accountable.