Notices issued on Haider’s plea against ‘illegal’ release of album | Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)

Pakistan Press Foundation

Notices issued on Haider’s plea against ‘illegal’ release of album

Tahir Siddiqui

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court on Tuesday issued notices to the owner of a production house, a director of the Federal Investigation Agency, police officials and others in a petition of well-known singer Ali Haider against the illegal release of his audio-video album and alleged harassment by the respondents.

The singer impleaded the home secretary, the director of the FIA’s corporate crime branch, the SHO of the Ferozabad police
station, the area’s sub-division police officer, financier Zubair Motiwala, owner of Thar production Syed Hasan Shah and associate Fahad Sikander as respondents.

A division bench headed by Justice Maqbool Baqar issued notices to the respondents and the federal law officer and adjourned the hearing to Feb 29.

The bench further ordered: “Till then, the respondents shall conduct themselves strictly in accordance with law and they shall not indulge in any illegal and unlawful act. FIR, if any, shall be registered only after seeking permission from the court”.

The petitioner, represented by Advocate Irfan Aziz, submitted in the petition that he had organised and prepared an audio-video album of songs titled “Ki Janan Main Kon” so that it could be released in the market.

He said that he contacted Zubair Motiwala for financing the release and publishing of his album in the market. He said that he gave the original recording of his album to Mr Motiwala for its inspection, examination and scrutiny before entering into an agreement about the album’s release.

The singer alleged that Mr Motiwala and Mr Shah illegally and unlawfully released his album without his approval and without entering into an agreement.

He stated that Mr Motiwala extended threats of dire consequences when he contacted him regarding the illegal release of his album without his approval and agreement.

The petitioner stated that he approached the FIA director and the SHO concerned requesting them to refrain the respondents from further releasing his album illegally but to no avail.

He prayed to the court to direct the FIA director to seal and seize the business of Mr Motiwala, Mr Shah and Mr Sikander.

The petitioner also prayed for the seizure of copies and original of the album and their production in court.

He prayed to the court to restrain the respondents from registering any FIR against him and harassing him and his family members.

Source: Dawn