LAHORE: A civil judge on Wednesday issued notices to the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra), Central Censor Board and other respondents on a petition seeking an order to halt the final episode of popular television drama serial “Mere Pass Tum Ho”.

Ms Maham filed the petition through her counsel Majid Chaudhry, pleading that the women were being ridiculed and shown in derogatory light as a part of society in the play.

The counsel argued before the court that the Constitution did not allow character assassination of any segment of society.

He stated that the last episode of the drama serial would also be shown in cinemas across the country on Jan 25.

He asked the court to order the respondents to stop the exhibition of the drama’s last episode in the cinemas as well as on television screens for “being contrary to the basic provisions of the Constitution.”

Civil Judge Naila Ayub heard initial arguments of the counsel and sought replies from the respondents by Jan 24. The production team of the drama had also been made a party in the petition.

PLEA WITHDRAWN: The Khoosat Films on Wednesday withdrew a petition it had filed before a civil court against interference by Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) in the release of movie “Zindagi Tamasha.”

A lawyer appeared on behalf of the production house and told the court his client wanted to withdraw the petition for some reasons.

Judge Ziaur Rehman allowed the request.

Irfan Ali Khoosat of Khoosat Films had filed the petition pleading that the company made the film to portray a soft image of society among the public at large and to reduce people’s stress.

He said central, Punjab and Sindh censor boards had cleared the film for release all over the country after removing some objectionable content.

He contended that the TLP, which had no concern, whatsoever, with the film, had been trying to interfere into its smooth public screening without any lawful justification.

He asked the court to declare the act of the respondent organisation as illegal and restrain it from interfering in the film’s release.

Published in Dawn, January 23rd, 2020