IHC judge expels Geo News counsels from court
JournalismPakistan.com | Published: 28 February 2018
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The Islamabad High Court expelled Geo News counsels following a contentious hearing in a contempt case. The court had previously issued notices to several individuals for discussing Valentine's Day in violation of a 2017 order.Summary
ISLAMABAD – The Islamabad High Court bench expelled counsels for Geo News from the courtroom on Tuesday after they exchanged hot words with the judge hearing a contempt of court case.
The Nation reported Wednesday that IHC single bench comprising Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui expressed his displeasure for misinterpreting the court’s order in the program ‘Report Card’.
He ordered the lawyers representing Geo to leave the court for continually arguing on the matter.
On February 20, IHC had issued notices to Geo News CEO Mir Ibrahim, program presenter Ayesha Bakhsh, and analysts Hassan Nisar and Imtiaz Alam after they discussed Valentine’s Day despite a 2017 court order that stated the day not be promoted in any way.
All the four individuals were asked to appear before the IHC in person to explain why contempt of court proceedings not be initiated against them and why regulator PEMRA not be directed to cancel Geo News license.
The Nation said the respondents challenged the single bench order dated February 20 that is also fixed for hearing next week. The IHC division bench comprising Justice Athar Minallah and Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb on February 26 suspended paras 3 & 4 of the single bench order that were related to the personal appearance of the respondents.
The IHC single bench on Tuesday ordered the program’s producer to appear before the court on March 8, the next date of hearing.
Justice Siddiqui told Geo News counsels that Hassan Nisar and Imtiaz Alam had ridiculed the court’s order. The bench said such intellectuals were trying to impose Valentine’s Day on us.
Key Points
- IHC expelled Geo News counsels for arguing with the judge.
- Contempt case relates to a 2017 ruling on Valentine's Day promotion.
- Justice Siddiqui criticized the misinterpretation of court orders.
- Hearing for personal appearances of accused scheduled for March 8.
- IHC division bench suspended part of the single bench order.
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