ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday issued bailable arrest warrants for the chief executive officer of ARY TV channel and one of its anchorpersons, Mubashir Lucman on a plea seeking to bar the channel for airing a programme against the Judiciary.

A single member bench of IHC comprising Justice Shaukat Aiziz Siddiqui issued the directives on nonappearance of respondents Mubashir Lucman and Salman Iqbal despite the court orders.

Lucman, also accused of defaming and ridiculing people including judges of the higher judiciary during his talk show, was restricted to conduct any programs by the high court earlier this month.

During the course of the hearing, Acting Chairman Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) Pervez Rathor submitted a report before the court with regard to the programme aired against the Judiciary.

Syed Nayab Gerdezi, counsel for the district bar apprised the bench that the media should not conduct programmes against the Judiciary. He argued that no one from the respondents’ side appeared before the court which was a violation of court orders.

To this, Justice Siddiqui issued the bailable warrants of respondents and adjourned the case till August 1.