LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Friday summoned the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) chairman to explain why the media covered the money laundering case involving MQM chief Altaf Hussain.

A full bench headed by Justice Syed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi was hearing petitions seeking a ban on the media coverage of Altaf Hussain’s activities. One of the petitioner’s counsel pointed out that proceedings of money laundering case against Mr Hussain in London were widely covered by the Pakistani media.

Advocate Azhar Siddique, the petitioner’s counsel, told the bench that both print and electronic media covered the case of Altaf Hussain despite court ban on coverage of all activities of the MQM chief. He also filed some affidavits challenging the one Mr Hussain had filed on previous hearing.

At this the bench directed the Pemra chairman to appear in person along with complete record of the media coverage on next hearing. The bench, however, observed that fate of Mr Hussain’s affidavit was yet to be decided by court.

An associate of Advocate Asma Jahangir filed an application for adjournment and told the bench that the senior counsel for the MQM was busy in the Supreme Court in Islamabad.

Advocate Ahmad Awais (from petitioners’ side) informed the bench that the MQM had already challenged the restraining order of the LHC before the apex court. He said the MQM also asked the SC to transfer the instant case to Sindh High Court citing security issues.

The bench adjourned further hearing till Oct 16.

Justice Mazhar Iqbal Sidhu and Justice Erum Sajjad Gull were the other members of the bench.

The petitioners had sought ban on Altaf Hussain’s media coverage in the wake of his statements against state institutions. In his affidavit, Mr Hussain had regretted his past statements.

Notice to RO: The Lahore High Court on Friday issued a notice to the returning officer of UC-107, Lahore, on a petition seeking contempt of court proceedings against him for not deciding an objection petition against the candidature of PML-N’s Khwaja Ahmad Hassaan for UC chairman.

Representing a voter, Advocate Sheraz Zaka argued the RO violated the court order and did not hear his objection against the candidature of the respondent candidate.

The counsel said the voter had objected that Mr Hassaan had been holding a public office as vice chairman of the Lahore Development Authority and also got involved with the local government administration by being a director of the Lahore Waste Management Company.

He said the RO accepted nomination papers of Hassaan without deciding his objection as directed by the court. He sought proceedings under contempt of court law against the RO for defying the court order.

Justice Shahid Karim issued a notice to the RO for Oct 26.

Hassaan was already elected unopposed chairman from the UC-107.

Published in Dawn, October 10th, 2015

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