ISLAMABAD: The Lahore High Court (LHC) decision to ban the broadcast of images and speeches of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain has been challenged on Monday in the Supreme Court.

The petition was filed in the apex court on behalf of the MQM supremo by human rights activist and former Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) president Asma Jahangir.

The petition requests the apex court to declare the LHC decision null and void as the verdict handed out on September 7, 2015 is unjust and given without hearing the counsels of the other party.

It further says that the ban imposed on Altaf Hussain's images and speeches is against freedom of speech and expression guaranteed under Article 19 of the Constitution of Pakistan.

Read: Broadcast of Altaf Hussain's images, speeches banned by LHC

The LHC on September 7, directed the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) and Additional Attorney-General Naseer Ahmed Bhutta to implement a ban on the broadcast of images and speeches of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain across all electronic and print media till further orders.

The ruling was made after a hearing of three petitions seeking a ban on media coverage of Altaf following his alleged remarks against state institutions, including the army and Rangers.

The court observed that there was sufficient material on record to order a complete blackout of the activities of Altaf Hussain, including what it called his hate speech, news regarding his activities as well as display of his picture across electronic media.

The petitions had been filed by Advocate Aftab Virk, Abdullah Malik and others.

Also read: Lawyers demand cancellation of Asma Jahangir's license for representing Altaf