LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday rejected a petitioner's request to suspend the ban on film 'Maalik' and directed the authorities involved to issue a response to the petitioner's arguments.

Through a writ petition filed in court earlier this week, citizen Mehboob Alam contended that the film highlighted the menace of corruption and other social evils in the country. He said the film does not challenge the sovereignty of the country and it is not against social values or Islamic injunctions.

He stated that the government banned the film two weeks after its countrywide premier, reflecting mala fide on part of the authorities.

The petitioner said a movie or drama made for social reforms cannot be banned and asked the court to set aside the impugned ban on the film and allow its exhibition in the country.

LHC judge Justice Shams Mahmood Mirza while hearing the case sought a reply to the arguments from the federal government, central censor board and the provincial censor board on May 17.