Express News anchor, producer tender unconditional apology to court

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 2 July 2015

Ahmed Quraishi, an anchor at Express News, along with his producer, has tendered an apology to the Peshawar High Court. This follows their airing of a program regarding a sensitive legal matter involving the military and judiciary.

Summary

PESHAWAR: Ahmed Quraishi (pictured), anchor of current affairs program @Q on Express News Television and his producer Faheem have tendered an unconditional apology to Peshawar High Court for airing a program on a subjudice matter.

In the program aired on May 29, Quraishi did a short commentary on an alleged tiff between Peshawar High Court Justice Ikramullah Khan and Bannu Cantonment Commander Brigadier Attique Ahmad. He said the issue should not be posed as a rift between military and judiciary as this may harm both the institutions.

Justice Ikramullah Khan’s official vehicle along with the police squad was stopped from entering the Bannu Cantonment at Muslim Gate on the evening of May 27. The PHC Bannu Bench is located inside Bannu Cantonment.

Later, the PHC Bannu Bench additional registrar issued notices to the federal defence secretary, KP home and tribal affairs secretary, Bannu 325 Brigade Commandant Brigadier Attique Ahmad and Bannu deputy commissioner to appear personally on May 28. However, the defence secretary, KP home and tribal affairs secretary and Brigadier Attique did not appear before the court the next morning.

Deputy attorney general represented the federal defence secretary while Bannu DC marked their presence. On May 29, Ahmed Quraishi did a program on the issue and the court also issued notices to the anchor and his team for commenting on a subjudice matter. The anchor and his producer have now submitted an unconditional apology in court for their inadvertent mistake.

The court has, however, yet to decide on the regret expressed by them in writing.

KEY POINTS:

• Ahmed Quraishi aired a program on May 29 addressing a sensitive issue.
• The program discussed alleged tensions between military and judiciary officials.
• The court demanded their presence after the broadcast on a subjudice matter.
• Both Quraishi and his producer submitted an unconditional apology.
• The court has yet to decide on their apology.