Court directs PEMRA to ban Altaf Hussain from media

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 7 September 2015

The Lahore High Court has ordered a ban on the media coverage of Altaf Hussain's speeches and pictures. The court has also requested verification of his nationality by the Interior Ministry.

Summary

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday directed Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) to ban publishing and broadcasting of pictures and speeches of MQM chief Altaf Hussain. A three member bench of the LHC headed by Justice Syed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi directed PEMRA to implement a ban on electronic and print media until further orders. Responding to LHC’s directives Director-General Operations PEMRA told the court that the print media did not fall under the jurisdiction of the regulatory body. The bench directed Additional Attorney-General Naseer Ahmed Bhutta to ensure implementation of the ban in the print media by conveying the court’s order to the chairman Press Council of Pakistan. The court also directed Secretary Interior Ministry to verify Altaf Hussain's nationality. The bench adjourned the next hearing until Sept 18. Several petitions filed by Advocates including Aftab Virk , Abdullah Malik and Aftab, Maqsood called for a lifetime ban on the live telecast of Altaf Hussain's speeches due to his anti-army remarks.