IHC halts TV anchor Mubashir Lucman from hosting programs

E-Paper | October 10, 2026

IHC halts TV anchor Mubashir Lucman from hosting programs

Dawn.com Published June 11, 2014

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court on Wednesday put a restriction on TV anchorman Mubashir Lucman from conducting any programmes, DawnNews reported.

IHC’s Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui heard the case against Lucman on a petition filed by the Lal Masjid Shuhada Foundation.

In the plea, applicant Hafiz Ahtesham’s lawyer Tariq Asad said in court that Lucman defamed and ridiculed people during his shows, adding that he had also derided the superior judiciary.

The lawyer further stated that no action was taken against the TV anchor by government institutions.

Justice Siddiqui remarked that several complaints were received against Lucman, adding that no action was taken by the Pakistan Electronic Media Regularity Authority (Pemra) and the Ministry of Information in this regard.

Justice Siddiqui also said that Lucman kept on discrediting Justice Jawwad S. Khawaja while he was hearing a case in relation to the conduct of a television channel.

The court inquired about the action taken by Pemra over the complaints that it had received against Lucman.

The court subsequently adjourned the hearing and issued summons for secretary information and the Pemra chairman.

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AHMAD

Jun 11, 2014 12:38pm

This clearly shows that our courts are Pro-Talabaan. They never give verdict against them.

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zeek

Jun 11, 2014 12:39pm

Excellent! this guy is crazy and promotes only hatred.

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baby doll main sone di

Jun 11, 2014 12:40pm

him not being on air is a good oppertunity for the pak media to gain some legitimacy.

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Waseem

Jun 11, 2014 12:41pm

First Geo now this Anchor .whats happening in this country.Good decision by court..No Tv anchor is allowed to defame any govt institution.There should be limitations and rules,boundaries for free media.May God PEMRA awake now .

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Umar

Jun 11, 2014 12:41pm

That's great

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MMAKANI

Jun 11, 2014 12:48pm

If Mubasher Lucman cant host the program as per IHC, he can always participate in other programs as analyst ! Lets see how far judiciary goes to restrict opinions of people while most of the bunch in the Pakistan judicial system is a SHAME !

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Jagreet

Jun 11, 2014 12:53pm

I think this exellent decision, I saw his program it seems to hate filled and very much personal. As a anchor ur personal view should not be visible on TV imop.

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Safdar

Jun 11, 2014 12:54pm

Lal Masjid Shuhada Foundation??? Shame on us as a nation and what a disrespect to the soldiers who died in that operation...

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SAJJAD UR REHMAN

Jun 11, 2014 12:56pm

He got the right punishment.

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Goga Nalaik

Jun 11, 2014 01:00pm

Silence those who dare speaking truth is called Justice in Pakistan

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Jun 11, 2014 01:02pm

Awesome, Please take all media anchor's in charge who spread Harassment, Blaming and pulling each on legs. If these talks shows terminated then so many things will become comfortable on TV because from evening till night these Anchor's only eat Humans brains and the conclusions remains the same without any good mode. I know after the program they must have dinner together and peoples only remained with negatives thoughts.

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Disgusted

Jun 11, 2014 01:09pm

Criminals in this country get respect while those who expose them get such silly decisions from this Judiciary.

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Ali

Jun 11, 2014 01:09pm

Lal Masjid Shuhada Foundation ..... who they are and how they became a party in this case !!! Courts should avoid these controversial characters.

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Uza Syed

Jun 11, 2014 01:11pm

Actually, Justice Jawad Khwaja discredited himself by being a judge in the matter of GEO, any fair minded judge with slightest respect for the decent judicial tradition to recuse himself because of potential conflict of interest and questionable impartiality. All Mubashar Lucman has been doing is just narrating the fact that this Khwaja Justice is against the basic norms, especially after the judge has publicly admitted the fact that he is somehow related with the owners of the GEO group the main defendant here. Banning Mubashar by another judge like Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui itself wreaks questionable impartiality. Don't we suspect Judge Siddiqui for potential interest in Lal Masjid case and the gang running that setup, he used to be their lawyer, didn't he? I find this court decision impartial by a motivated judge and condemn this travesty of judicial process.

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Ajamal

Jun 11, 2014 01:11pm

This is against the letter and spirit of the constitution providing right to free speech. Also, PERMA is the authority created for listening such complains. How a stay order can be issued without listening to all parties??

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khanm

Jun 11, 2014 01:13pm

restriction? is he barred or banned... If you believe in your heart that you are right, you must fight with all your might to do it your way. Only dead fish swim with the stream all the time. it is the choice MR Mubashir you have to make...i believe in freedom of speech and if we set the guide lines, it changes the definition of free speech.

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Akram

Jun 11, 2014 01:23pm

Why is the court wasting its time on a petition from the Lal Masjid? they should have dismissed it outright. What right do they have to tell us who should and should not be on tv?

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Amir Mahmood

Jun 11, 2014 01:26pm

Judge was already in favor of Restriction on Lucman, where is freedom of speech.

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Jibran

Jun 11, 2014 01:29pm

"Laal Masjid Shuhada Foundation" ?!?!?! shows all that is wrong with us ..

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Umar

Jun 11, 2014 01:37pm

Thanks God. He should even be banned appearing on any TV as guest nor his previous programs be allowed to run on any TV. He was almost successful in setting the society on fire through religious provocation.

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patriotee

Jun 11, 2014 01:44pm

I bet more than that petitions d be filed against geo but its licensed is not banned permanently. Why court has taken direct action why not let pemra handle it too? clear prejudice by court

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haris

Jun 11, 2014 01:46pm

I thought Pemra was an independent body to deal complaints against media. Now I see, it is the judicial courts that have the higher authority. Do they really understand the term 'independent'?

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Tahir

Jun 11, 2014 01:54pm

Finally a good decision...his shows are biased and its clear from his analysis that he speaks in favour of PTI and against N-League which is not fair journalism.

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Gooch

Jun 11, 2014 01:58pm

Oh, God what a relief !!!!! He has been carrying on with this vendetta against GEO TV for a very long time, mostly repititions and ARY failed to curb his activities on their channel. ARY may have even encouraged this man with his slandering shows to gain cheap popularity , at least some body has the courage to put a zip on this man's face.

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faisal

Jun 11, 2014 02:01pm

The judge was lal masjids lawyer. Seems to be a conflict of interest in this case.

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Junaid

Jun 11, 2014 02:08pm

There were only terrorists in Laal Masjids...no Shaheeds. Shouldnt the court ban the organization instead?

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Parvez

Jun 11, 2014 02:08pm

GOOD.

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Shahid

Jun 11, 2014 02:09pm

Truth is always bitter !

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baby doll main sone di

Jun 11, 2014 02:11pm

as an indian my weekday entertainment has taken a big hit today. Lucman and zaid hamid are the only people who entertain me on weekdays and kapil sharma on weekends.

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Goga Nalaik

Jun 11, 2014 02:11pm

@Safdar Sir, this is what we are: confused, mentally corrupt, utterly biased, twisted mindset and exercising double standards. Why do you expect our leaders and courts be different!!!

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Usman

Jun 11, 2014 02:18pm

And what is so great about it?

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Awam

Jun 11, 2014 02:22pm

Journalist should be neutral when reporting or anchoring a program. While, watching Mubashir Lucman, you can see very cleary the agenda behind. Good decision!

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Narinder Parvana

Jun 11, 2014 02:22pm

Mr Lucman should have been behind the bars for spreading hatred.

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imran ali

Jun 11, 2014 02:27pm

there is freedom of speech and expression..in democracy people have the right to criticize biased decision....

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tanchattah

Jun 11, 2014 02:27pm

For how long will the truth be gagged

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Sajjad shah

Jun 11, 2014 02:32pm

Mubasher Lucman actually has more credability among the Pakistani public than any if these judges trying to stop him ftom speaking the truth . Where is the constitution now mr judge sb? Your trying to stop free speech and that of the media . The judiciary is already dua reputed after the antics of ex CJP Iftikhar choudhry so why make things worse . I as an ordinary Pakistani despite having never met Lucman stand firmly on his side rather than terrorists claiming to be the innocent aggrieved party making themselves out to be shuhada. Please don't insult our intelligence with this unhealthy bias and collusion with terrorists by our judiciary in whom I as a Pakistani have lost all trust what little I had to begin with . Long live Mubasher Lucman

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Sajjad shah

Jun 11, 2014 02:34pm

@Safdar sir well said

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Harmony

Jun 11, 2014 02:36pm

Let

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jakes

Jun 11, 2014 02:37pm

There are also two pro Taliban namely PTI and JI

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UFO

Jun 11, 2014 02:58pm

Laal Masjid 'Shuhada' Foundation? Somehow this name slipped under the nose of our courts despite being illegal and unconstitutional.

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NHM

Jun 11, 2014 03:09pm

Is this really Jinnah's Pakistan? Either the security people who died in the operation are shaheed or the ones who killed them. When will the SHC take a suo moto action against the very name of Laal masjid shauhda foundation, either this or call our entire security apparatus as an illegal structure. M.Luqman, I may not be a fan of yours but you if you stood up against the Laal masjid shauhda foundation, I am with you 100%

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Harmony

Jun 11, 2014 03:13pm

Let

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Mateen

Jun 11, 2014 03:14pm

MUBASHIR LUQMAN IS A TRUE PAKISTANI NATIONAL HERO WHOSE LOVE FOR PAKISTAN HAS NO LIMITS! ANYONE WHO DARES CRITICISE HIM IS AN IGNORANT

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Ifti

Jun 11, 2014 03:21pm

What a shameful precedence being set here... Lucman exposed corrupt with no prejudice and ample evidence. If anything his evidence should have been challenged not him. Another shame added onto Pakistan.

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ivehadit

Jun 11, 2014 03:59pm

This is clearly a downward spiral. The justices are putting personal egos ahead of freedom of expression. If you don't like him, don't listen to him. You don't have to take away his speech. If he's defaming anyone, take him to court. The only reason he's on is because people listen to him.

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kamran

Jun 11, 2014 04:13pm

No u r wronged

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Salam

Jun 11, 2014 04:40pm

Good decision IHC

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Akhtar

Jun 11, 2014 04:55pm

What a judge and what a judiciary and what a verdict? What else one can expect from a so called judiciary?

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Concerned Citizen

Jun 11, 2014 04:57pm

Its about time..

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Let's face it

Jun 11, 2014 05:04pm

@Ifti I totally agree,

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Jun 11, 2014 05:16pm

how about banning all political and morning sickness-cum-talk shows for 30 days and then see how audience feel. I bet many would feel better and have more time to concentrate on things that are missing from their lives.

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Adi

Jun 11, 2014 05:20pm

Might is right,,first Geo now Mubashar in future Military coup.

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Rasool Bakhsh Tahir

Jun 11, 2014 05:24pm

An other black day for freedom of speech and credibility of justice system.

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Naveed Bajwa

Jun 11, 2014 05:30pm

well done IHC, we want permanent restriction on that like so called ANCHORS

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muhammad

Jun 11, 2014 05:33pm

@zeek What hatred he spread in his program kindly eloborate and amazingly your peace loving Lal Masjid people obtained this verdict against him

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muhammad

Jun 11, 2014 05:35pm

@Jagreet Personal but true and you cannot stop truth from prevailing over forces of darkness

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K Malik

Jun 11, 2014 05:36pm

this dude is a disgrace to journalism.........impartial reporting, incites hatred, hidden agendas, conspirative and traitorous views, provokes divisions in society.........if it were up to me, i would have him deported to guantanamo bay..........this is my personal opinion.........no offence to anyone.

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muhammad

Jun 11, 2014 05:37pm

God save us now Lal Masjid people will decide our fate

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Maliee

Jun 11, 2014 05:49pm

Excellent decision. This guy only promotes hatred!

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Salim A

Jun 11, 2014 05:55pm

This judge just defamed the judiciary far worse than the man they are condemning. Judiciary gets a bad name if they indulge in political and social vendetta. So what if he has criticized the Judiciary or a mullah. That is freedom of speech, a right these judges from the stone age need to understand. You cannot silence the critics nor the media in this day and age.

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Jamal

Jun 11, 2014 06:30pm

This is a good news.

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Abdul Majid Khan

Jun 11, 2014 06:41pm

Pakistan judiciary is biased and influenced.

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hanif Samoon

Jun 11, 2014 06:52pm

As you sow so shall you reap. According to the common viewers Mr Lucman exceeded the limits of decency and was totally biased. Anyway my sympathies are still those, who strongly believe in freedom of expression. Hanif Samoon, Badin

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Naseem

Jun 11, 2014 06:53pm

Aah I am so happy by this decision.

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dr vimal raina

Jun 11, 2014 07:17pm

His punishment...make him watch his own programmes.

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nikhil

Jun 11, 2014 07:23pm

Please don't ban Zahid Hamid! We don't care about others. For us its the best time pass, enjoy his rhetoric theories!!

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Dr. Qureshi

Jun 11, 2014 07:57pm

Like Geo, this dude is totally unprofessional! Media needs to exhibit professionalism! First they need to train their people and then follow rules! There are limits to freedom of speech!

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SAM

Jun 11, 2014 08:27pm

This man is a one man demolition machine, and was up to no good.

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A. Khan

Jun 11, 2014 08:28pm

Good riddance. I find him annoying and conceited.

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Khan

Jun 11, 2014 08:38pm

Good decision in a very bad way. The courts should not have to enforce a code of conduct. Hamid Mir promotes hatred against people he has an agenda. He is nothing but someone whose ego lives on insulting people and institutions. Lal Masjid Shuhada? is this a joke? They were nothing but terrorists and thugs. Any Judge Sahib ask them what was all that arsenal doing in the Masjid?

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Gooch

Jun 11, 2014 08:43pm

@zeek I am surprised ARY didn't step in and say to him this far and no more. He is used to flashing bits of paper as written evidence of proof against people he disliked but never had the courage to take them to court. So good riddance , hope he gets banned for life. He was sacked by another channel for similar activities, this time somebody called his bluff and nailed him.

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Kirther

Jun 11, 2014 09:19pm

Lal Masjid Shuhada Foundation--such foundations must not be allowed to operate and by now Pakistanis must understand the difference between Shaheeds and terrorist--it is evident that certain . section of Islamic Clergy in Pakistan are propagating extremism which is anti-Islamic.

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S Chaudhury

Jun 12, 2014 12:50am

@Mateen I fully agree with you

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ali abbas

Jun 12, 2014 03:03am

I know that PPP haters do not follow logic. Despite opposition from every end i.e judiciary, military, right wing media and direct threats from terrorists, PPP govt never encouraged putting political opposition in jail and silencing TV anchors. What has the PM done. No let up in corruption, curbing freedom of speech, pursuing half baked cases against opposition leaders and worsening of terrorism while being chummy with TTP. What a record!

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Paladin

Jun 12, 2014 01:40pm

The legal system in Pakistan is a total farce.

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Ahmed

Jun 13, 2014 05:57am

Where is the freedom of press and speech. All of these Justices are Blind like the Judicial System of Pakistan. Another bad news from a falling nation. Courts have failed the people once again!

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Abassin

Jun 13, 2014 10:14am

@Uza Syed / Excellent and correct summation of the facts behind the decision by the IHC. It also proves that personal relationships and financial rewards dictate decisions, including those of the judiciary.Let us not forget the recently played comic soap opera surrounding the appointment and sacking of the PCB Chairmen- and with this decision the so called pay back continues for the favors received.

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ali asghar

Jun 13, 2014 02:52pm

this is fact that one who speaks truth or able to expose hidden white collar crimes is always punished in this country.The justice system of our country has totally failed and shame on our judicial system.This is our fate.We need INQILAB to become a nation.

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Asif

Jun 13, 2014 04:55pm

Judges should not be making such orders. Rather their judgements should speaking clearly and loudly.

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Asif

Jun 13, 2014 05:01pm

Why not award Mr Clean title to Arsalan Iftikhar.

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Syed Ahmed

Jun 13, 2014 07:18pm

Wow! IHC

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Syed Ahmed

Jun 13, 2014 07:19pm

@AHMAD: No doubt these are "Kangaroos Courts".

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Muhammed Ali

Jun 14, 2014 03:54pm

@zeek No he does not, he speaks the truth and that is hard to swallow..

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