LAHORE: Justice Syed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi of the Lahore High Court on Thursday took a suo motu notice against an anchorperson of a private news channel for airing interview of a visa consultancy firm’s CEO Asim Malik, a proclaimed offender in 190 cases of fraud.

The judge issued a notice to anchorperson Mubashar Lucman seeking an explanation as to why he and his programme should not be banned permanently for patronising and protecting proclaimed offender Asim Malik, the owner of “Future Concern”.

The judge also sought a justification from the news channel to explain as to why its license should not be suspended and why they should not be prosecuted for harbouring a proclaimed offender.

Justice Naqvi also directed the Pemra chairman to appear personally and explain his failure to take action against the channel for broadcasting such an offensive programme.

The judge was hearing hundreds of petitions against Malik and his wife, Zobia Rubab,, for defrauding public at large on the pretext of sending them abroad.

During the course of hearing, it was brought to the court’s notice that the news channel aired an interview of Malik wherein he was portrayed as a hero. It was also disclosed that serious allegations had also been leveled against the judge.

Justice Naqvi took notice of the situation and remarked that Asim Malik had escaped the country after looting billions of rupees from the people and a private news channel was protecting him. The judge pointed out that Malik had been declared a proclaimed offender in 190 cases.

The judge adjourned further hearing till Oct 17.

Published in Dawn, October 10th, 2014