LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Thursday disposed of a petition challenging ‘immoral’ advertisement launched by mobile cab service “Careem” and directed the petitioner to approach Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) for the redress of her grievance.

A lawyer namely Sidra Ijaz had filed the petition through Advocate Sajjad Hussain Chohan pleading that the Careem launched a new advertisement campaign to promote its bike service by encouraging girls to run away from their marriage functions.

The petitioner stated that the advertisement featured a girl in bridal dress along with a tagline, “Apni shadi se bhaagna ho tou Careem bike karo” (book a Careem bike if you want to run from your wedding). She submitted that the campaign was unethical and against the injunctions of Islam.

The petitioner asked the court to direct the Careem management to remove the objectionable advertisement from social media and road signboards. She had also urged the court to impose a fine on the cab service and restrain it from making such advertisement in future.

AHAD CHEEMA: The Lahore High Court on Thursday issued a notice to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on a bail petition of former Lahore Development Authority director general Ahad Khan Cheema in a reference of assets beyond means.

A division bench headed by Justice Malik Shahzad Ahmad Khan heard initial arguments of Cheema’s counsel and issued notice to the NAB for submission of written reply by April 11.

The counsel argued that the allegations by the NAB were baseless and without any evidence. He said the trial of the case was still at an initial stage and its conclusion was not possible on account of the peculiar nature of the charge.

He said the incarceration of the petitioner for an infinite period would be tantamount to punishment before trial. He said the petitioner was a government servant and there was no apprehension of absconding if he was released on bail. He asked the bench to allow the petition and release Cheema on bail.

The NAB alleged that Cheema owned movable and immovable properties in his own name and also in the name of benamidars worth around Rs600 million.

Published in Dawn, March 22nd, 2019