ARY's CEO, anchorperson told to justify airing of ‘defamatory’ show

E-Paper | March 11, 2026

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court asked Salman Iqbal, the chief executive officer of ARY television network, and its anchor person Mubasher Lucman on Monday to justify airing a defamatory and scandalous talk show against the judiciary. Both are facing contempt charges for allegedly vilifying a judge of the apex court.

A three-judge Supreme Court bench headed by Justice Ejaz Afzal also directed Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) to come up with a reply explaining why the authority’s important post like chairman was still vacant and who should be blamed for the slackness.

At the last hearing on Sept 9, the Supreme Court had issued contempt notice against the CEO of ARY and anchorperson Mubasher Lucman.

The bench was constituted to take up the case relating to the talk show aired on the ARY ‘Khara Sach’ hosted by Mr Lucman on May 29. Slanderous and defamatory allegations were levelled in the show against Justice Jawwad S. Khawaja about his relationship to Mir Shakeelur Rehman, the owner of Geo TV network, and the sale of a property in Lahore by the judge’s wife to the Punjab government.

The allegations were raised after Justice Khawaja’s heard a petition moved by Geo TV network for immediate intervention to halt what they called ‘hate campaign’ against the channel.

When the case was taken up on Monday, senior counsel Irfan Qadir appeared before the bench to explain that he was representing both the CEO as well as the anchorperson. Both the CEO and the anchorperson were not in attendance.

Advocate Ibrahim Satti told the court that he would submit reply on behalf of Pemra. He refuted the allegations that Pemra was acting as a lame duck.

The court directed Pemra as well as the contemnors to submit their replies in 10 days. The case would be fixed after two weeks.

The court asked Deputy Attorney General Khawaja Ahmed Hosain to file a reply on behalf of the government.

Published in Dawn, September 16th, 2014

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Jesus

Sep 16, 2014 05:55am

What a joke! Where is the freedom of speech. Judiciary can do anything including serious corruption but no one should talk about it since it is considered political blasphemy.

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Chaya Kahn

Sep 16, 2014 10:12am

Are the Judges above law?

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Junaid

Sep 16, 2014 10:46am

Very good. This kind of black mailing anchors should be brought to justice. Remember , Mubasir is the only journalist who was caught taking money in live show on Dunya and that's why he was fired from Dunya.

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Jehanzeb

Sep 16, 2014 10:49am

Freedom of speech does not mean leveling allegations without proof. Since this is in court, the anchorperson has to prove his allegations. If ML proves the allegation the judge should be punished. If ML cannot prove then he must go to jail for false slander and defamation. Cases like this must be made an example of proper justice.

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Hasboy

Sep 16, 2014 11:00am

Good! I dont know how come PEMRA allows this kind of rubbish to be telecast-ed from a person who was caught red-handed taking bribes.

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Liaquat

Sep 16, 2014 11:13am

@Jesus I think judges are asking to prove what was said on TV show and it is right to ask to prove. It shouldn't be allowed to spread lies against anybody including judges.

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Waseem

Sep 16, 2014 11:17am

@Jesus freedom of speech does not mean freedom of intimidation and mudslinging. Anchors are analyst not news breakers. They are suppose to analyse the situation and news. If they have any evidence it can be shared with their news team which after proper checks as per SOP's break it on air. This will essentially entail asking all parties for their version on the news. Thereafter they can discuss the same in their programs, not before. There is always a professional way of doing the work. Just because others are not following would not give excuse to anyone for not adhering to professionalism. This is our duty.

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Kabir

Sep 16, 2014 11:27am

@Jesus what ARY and Mr. Lucman are doing is definitely not freedom of speech. Supporting political parties and agenda is not journalism

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Kaleem Ullah

Sep 16, 2014 11:44am

@Jesus Talk against judiciary but don't lie. In which society or culture, Lie is encouraged? I mean other than pakistan.

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Gul Pasha

Sep 16, 2014 12:04pm

They are trying to silence the voices supporting the creation of Naya Pakistan.

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Goga Nalaik

Sep 16, 2014 12:22pm

Hope justice will be done this time. Mubashir Lucman is one of tv anchors who dare speaking truth. When he affirms something in his show Khara sach, he never talk in the air, rather, he always shows proofs. But, unfortunately, justice in this country was never based on proofs. Justice is equal for all and nobody should be above it. Mubashir, we are all with you!

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Observer

Sep 16, 2014 12:28pm

People like him do not have professional journalism degrees and they abuse all on their shows! Freedom of speech comes with responsibility and accountability!

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khanm

Sep 16, 2014 12:30pm

The Judiciary’s initial response of a judgment of contempt and defamation of the character of judges against the CEO and Mubashir Lukman is justifiable provided the judges are honest and above temptation. No one should be above the law including the judiciary. It is the moral duty of the justice system to make sure that no institution in Pakistan has absolute power. “If absolute power corrupts absolutely”, where does that leave the courts. Mr lukman you are indeed a courageous person. We are with you in the battle of right and wrong. It's not the judiciary’s job to determine who is worthy of their kindness and who is not. The Judiciary just needs to be unconditionally impartial, without ulterior motive.

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Zafar

Sep 16, 2014 12:30pm

Action is justfiable if accusations are false. How could a judge pass un-biased judgement if accused is his close relative?

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aLeX

Sep 16, 2014 01:00pm

@Jesus Slandering, defaming, alleging, calling names. rabble rousing.......in the name of freedom of expression.....is that what you are talking about? If someone calls us names in public without any wrong being done to him by us, is that ok for the sake of freedom of speech? IMO that's not what a civilized behavior is! Our mullahs have been doing this for so long a time in every sermon, that's also freedom of speech then......why condemn their hate speeches then?

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Husain Jan

Sep 16, 2014 01:23pm

@Junaid Mubasshir Luqman was also shown in an off the air clip with a billionaire property tycoon guiding him what question would be asked in the show and how he should reply. No more proof is needed for connivance but such is the demand that after getting fired from Dunya news channel he was accommodated by another channel despite knowing his credentials.

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Man for Peace

Sep 16, 2014 01:25pm

@Jesus Freedom of speech is based on truth ; responsibility - and NOT based on lies; defame - or instigate hate or incite violence etc. get real - Everything has limits.. misleading viewers - can not substantiate what you air- JUDICIARY SHOULD BE STERN WITH ALL clowns - and send them packing for good. None is above the law. I expect stern actions - maximum fine and sentences .

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Sajjad

Sep 16, 2014 01:44pm

@Jehanzeb you are correct.

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Yusufzai

Sep 16, 2014 01:54pm

Corrupt judiciary

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Farooq Ali

Sep 16, 2014 01:54pm

Come what may the Judges deserve due respect, and it is so in civilized World, Can any body guess how much money these out of skin Anchors are making, and what they were before these channels came into being ?. it is the in flow of heavy cash in their pockets which has taken off the ethics from the media channels.

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Saleem

Sep 16, 2014 02:15pm

Judges have taken up the most important case in the world and we as common people are very thankful for giving high priority to such an important issue of national interest. Another million cases pending for decision from last 50 years can wait. We salute judiciary

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s chaudhury

Sep 16, 2014 02:17pm

Time is fast approching when people stop respecting judges

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syeda

Sep 16, 2014 02:24pm

Many of us, including me, might not be a follower of Mubashar Luqman for different obvious reasons. But lets keep him aside and focus on the undue power given to the courts and judges. as a matter of fact we all know how corrupt these courts and judges are, and to my surprise these courts have the audacity to question all those who point out there mistakes.!!!! If that is Justice, than I am happy without it.

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Ash

Sep 16, 2014 02:25pm

@Jesus Of course you can but with evidence.

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Usman

Sep 16, 2014 02:26pm

This Judge, S Khawaja should fight his case as an ordinary citizen. Only than he would realize the state of judiciary in Pakistan.

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seeking justice

Sep 16, 2014 02:31pm

the SC should differentiate between a demation of a judge vs judiciary. Judge is not equal to Judiciary. period

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Haider Rehman

Sep 16, 2014 03:11pm

Does Geo have the moral right to move against Ary on 'defamatory shows'? Hamid Mir and Ceo of Geo must be booked before Ary.

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Nazir Ahmed

Sep 16, 2014 03:19pm

In our country we can't speak the truth. It hits the corrupts like a bullet.

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Jawad

Sep 16, 2014 03:35pm

@Kabir I agree. But what about GEO. Did you hear NS in the Parliment asking Choudary to " GEO ka Najam lo ". GEO really has been defaming the army. Is that reporting or accusations. Anyways. Reporting corruption is part of journalism. So far what I've seen is that this guy has documented proof or proof on cameras for what he claims. Let's see if he has proof this time--- unless of course courts dismiss his proof on technical bases.

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Jawad

Sep 16, 2014 03:36pm

@Farooq Ali Judges have to earn respect. Like anybody else. Courts right now has to do a lot of damage control.

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Mariam

Sep 16, 2014 03:38pm

The judiciary has to answer to the public like everyone else. The law is applicable to them also. This past one month has exposed a huge number of flaws in every system of the country including the judiciary. How about investigating those judges who have been accused of corruption and of rigging elections? What about giving justice to the poor girl who has been raped by an MNA's 3 sons? What about the other girl who burned herself to death because the police let her rapists go free? There are so many corruption charges against the Sharif family - WITH EVIDENCE! So are the judges sleeping? Or have they been bought out too? Why don't they deal with more pressing issues rather than handling 'defamation' cases which benefit no one except themselves.

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M.ishaq

Sep 16, 2014 03:51pm

@Chaya Kahn that mubashir is a lying toe rag he is only two bit tv anchor person he slanders everyone

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NINO

Sep 16, 2014 03:57pm

@Junaid Fully agreed.

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NINO

Sep 16, 2014 04:01pm

@Chaya Kahn They certainly are not but some of us and some of the anchors think that they are. They think they are clever but alas little do they know how little they know.

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Syed Ahmed

Sep 16, 2014 04:12pm

Why does judiciary create situations when their actions are called to question pubically?

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Naeem Syed

Sep 16, 2014 04:18pm

Is this a repetition of the Ch Iftikhar and Arsaln Drama again. These people aired the documents and the news of the Going on's in the Supreme Court . The have exercised their right for freedom of speech. If they have stated facts that are not true then come out in the open and say so, just don't hide behind the contempt charges. Actually the behavior of the Judges recently is in itself a contempt of the will of the people. This all about the dealings of Justice Jawwad S. Khawaja and his wife their relationship to Mir Shakeelur Rehman and the Govt of Punjab. This needs to be investigated by the Army and till then The Hon. Justice should step down from the court rather than take refuge behind the Supreme Court, and the other Hon Judges should recognize and encourage him to step down or are they all banding together so that there are no further exposures of any other Judge?

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SHUJJA

Sep 16, 2014 04:35pm

Allegations should not be levelled without proof. every one have the right to express his opinion but it is our responsibilty not to present our opinons as facts... Serious action should be taken those found guilty whether Judge or TV anchor. and this time it should be actions rather some Joint invetigating Team to investigate the matter. Last time I remember Pakistan had FIA, NAB, Anti Corruption establishments. (where are they?)

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haroon

Sep 16, 2014 04:51pm

ML keeping on malign judicary and political system all the time without any proof. The court need to throw out such corrupt people out of media.

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lion

Sep 16, 2014 05:08pm

@Liaquat this not for judicary! this for justice khawaja!! who is remainings of nawaz bribery system.

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Farooq Ali

Sep 16, 2014 05:37pm

@Usman What about media anchors to become ordinary media persons and draw reasonable salary less than what a judge draws

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Adil

Sep 16, 2014 05:48pm

Where was this panel of judges and PEMRA when GEO defamed ISI cheif and the Armed forces of Pakistan?

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Zia

Sep 16, 2014 06:01pm

Mubasshir Luqman is a third rated achor person. The derogatory language that he uses against personalities and other channels is no where seen in Media in Pakistan even in his own channel. This person has crossed all limits of Journalism, he should be brought to task and must be answerable.

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Saeed

Sep 16, 2014 06:41pm

ML is the darling of PTI he is the one caught red handed in a live show last year against the than Chief Justice , unfortunately we Pakistanis have very short memory, we even now call perviaz Musharraf rule to be the best although what ever has happened to pakistan in last ten to 12 years is because of Musharraf .

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Junaid

Sep 16, 2014 07:24pm

@Jesus , I agree, higher the position more the accountability. People of Pakistan don't like that formula.

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saeed

Sep 16, 2014 08:12pm

GOOD, its about time, i think its about time someone gives him a talk about responsible journalism

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Optimist

Sep 16, 2014 10:15pm

I would advise the courts and judges in Pakistan to try and resolve the political crisis in the country. The country is heading towards civil un-rest and there may be bloodshed if the Supreme court doesn't act and fulfill their constitutional responsibility. These non-pertinent issues such as contempt charges are not-pertinent at this stage.

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Shahid

Sep 16, 2014 11:21pm

Do not protect the corrupt no matter where they belong...

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Sunny

Sep 17, 2014 12:18am

In karachi there was an old saying "If you want to win a case purchase good lawyer" similarly in Punjab they use to say "hire a judge" & similar type of situation we had witnessed in ARY when Mubashir luqman has aired live conversation of Shahbaz sharif With So called Justice qayyum.Shame on us to have such hypocrites.

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Zafar

Sep 17, 2014 01:59am

M.Lucman alway has evidence before he accuses anyone. There are serious question marks about some of the judges. History has proved that even P.Musharraf was right taking action against ch iftikhar.

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Aslam Shaikh

Sep 18, 2014 09:12am

Bad journalists can be really filthy rich. They take bribes from even politicians and bug industrialists and do programs in their favor. When they get caught, they raise the flag of freedom of press. Good journalists are always in trouble, because in order to give the actual true news, they face the wrath of politicians, their thugs, gangs, police and bug industrialists and lords.

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Mustafa

Sep 18, 2014 08:26pm

@Kaleem Ullah " Talk against judiciary but don't lie. In which society or culture, Lie is encouraged?" The sole reason why judiciary exists is that one man's lie is another man's truth.

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Mustafa

Sep 18, 2014 08:35pm

@Saeed "he is the one caught red handed in a live show last year against the than Chief Justice , unfortunately we Pakistanis have very short memory" Fortunately our memories are not as short as you would like, Lucman never made any allegations against justice Tasadduq Husain Jilani.

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