LAHORE: A Lahore High Court judge on Thursday took exception to the tirade of certain politicians in media against the judiciary and said such practice could not be tolerated anymore.

“Every Tom, Dick and Harry cannot be allowed to criticise courts’ verdicts,” observed Justice Syed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi heading a three-judge full bench seized with a case against the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) London chief Altaf Hussain’s anti-state speeches.

The bench had in 2016 ordered a complete media blackout of Hussain’s speeches and activities.

Justice Naqvi further observed that media had freedom of expression but the Constitution did not allow criticism of the judiciary. The freedom of press did not mean ridiculing the judiciary in the name of criticism, the judge further observed and regretted that even illiterate persons were seen criticising judicial verdicts in television programmes. Justice Naqvi said, “We would not permit what is going on television channels.”

The judge also took notice of delay in the appointment of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) chairman since another judge of the LHC set aside appointment of Absar Alam as Pemra’s chairman in December 2017.

The judge observed that the absence of the chairman suggested that Pemra had not been working independently rather under the control of the government.

The bench adjourned further hearing till April 5 and summoned executive director of Pemra and secretary of interior ministry. The bench gave time to Altaf Hussain/MQM to engage a new counsel as Asma Jahangir, who had been representing the party previously, had passed away.

Advocate Aftab Virk and others had filed the petitions against the MQM founding leader seeking action against him under treason charges for his speeches against state institutions including the army.

Published in Dawn, March 30th, 2018