Court summons 20 media representatives for fanning hatred
SARGODHA/LAHORE/KARACHI: Courts were moved on Tuesday against TV channels for telecasting controversial content. The Sargodha District and Sessions Court has summoned Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid and over 20 representatives of TV channels and journalist organisations on May 26 to give an explanation on a petition stating that different TV channels were fanning religious hatred, defaming Pakistan and Islam all over the world.
Petitioner Muhammad Ilyas Ahmed Qadri contented that the situation runs the risk of spread of sectarian violence in the country. Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid, ARY chairman, Dunya TV, Samaa TV, Aaj TV, Geo TV, Waqt News, Capital TV, Express TV, City 42, ATV News, All Pakistan Cable Network and office holders of different journalist organisations in addition to DCO and DPO Sargodha have been made respondents.
The petitioner adopted that different talk shows and news repots on the electronic media were fanning religious hatred. He said cable operators were also violating the code of conduct and were playing with the sentiments of Muslims. He said they were trying to spread sectarianism in the country, which could lead to violence.
He said due to business rivalries, some media channels were defaming the religion and Pakistan all over the world. He contended that Pemra had failed to fulfill its responsibility; hence, a case be registered against all those responsible.
Additional District and Sessions Judge Ashfaq Ahmed Rana issued notices to all the respondents and adjourned the hearing till May 26. Elsewhere, about 40 petitions have so far been filed in different courts against the Geo News and the issue also echoed on the floor of the Parliament House on Monday.
On Tuesday, additional district and sessions judges in Lahore directed two SHOs to record the version of petitioners on their petitions seeking the registration of a case against the management of Geo Group and ARY channel for allegedly committing blasphemy in morning shows hurting sentiments of Muslims of the country.
Additional District and Sessions judge Ghaffar Mehtab Shah directed the SHO Ichrra on a petition to record the version of the petitioner and to proceed further strictly in accordance with the law. The court has issued orders on a complaint filed by advocate Shahbaz contending that both Geo and ARY news channels committed blasphemy in their morning shows.
Meanwhile, Additional District and Sessions Judge Khawar Rashid directed the SHO Mughalpura to record the version of the petitioner and strictly proceed in accordance with the law. The judge, after hearing the arguments of Amer Rawan and perusing file mentioned that prima facie cognisable offence is made out. The judge directed the petitioner to approach the concerned police station and SHO was directed to record the version of the petition.The Sindh High Court (SHC) has also issued notices to the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra), Geo TV and others on a petition against Geo.
A man has moved an application in the court of District and Sessions Judge Karachi (South) seeking registration of a case against those allegedly responsible for airing a ‘Manqabat’ written by him on Geo TV.
The applicant, Syed Muhammad Ali, known as Gohar Jarchavi, claimed that he had created the ‘Manqabat’ but it was aired without his permission in a contemptuous manner. He said since the Copyright Law was violated, he desired to register a case against the responsible persons under Section 22-A and 6-A4 at the PIB Colony Police Station, but the police refused to register a case. He prayed to the court to direct the police to register his complaint.
The court, while issuing a notice to the station house officer (SHO) of the PIB police station, directed him to appear on May 26.A petition for the registration of a criminal case against Geo TV and others has been filed in the court of Mohammad Hayat Gondal, Additional Sessions Judge, Jaranwala.In Kasur, a worker of PTI Qaiser Ayub submitted a petition at the district and sessions court against Geo staffers.
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