Advocate Farah Nawaz Gul had filed a petition in the court of Additional District Sessions Judge Shahid Bashir through Advocate Muhammad Asim Sheikh.The petition held that the Qawwali with reference to the Holy Prophet’s companions and Ahle Bait aired in ARY channel’s programme ‘Good Morning Pakistan’ provoked the sentiments of Muslims.

An application was given in the respective police station for lodging an FIR but the case was not registered. In the writ petition, a request has been made to register a case against the ARY channel’s CE Salman Iqbal, Nida Yasir, Amjad Sabri Qawwal and Naeem Abbas Rufi under Sections 295 (A), 295 (C), 298 and 298 (A). The court has ordered the police to register a case after hearing of the writ petition.

The News

The provincial information department of Balochistan alleged in the case that ARY News ran objectionable video clips in its current affairs programme on Aug 13, about the destruction of Quaid Azam Residency in Ziarat district following an attack in June by a separatist group.

Chief Justice of the Supreme Couryt of Pakistan Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry had taken notice of the video and asked Pemra to inform him about action taken against the channel.

The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) and The Balochistan Union of Journalists (BUJ) condemned the series of attacks on freedom of press. Pervaiz Shaukat, president PFUJ said all journalists communities condemned the curbs on media and warned country-wide protests from the PFUJ.

BUJ and other media networks called for withdrawal of the case. The BUJ has decided to stage a demonstration in front of the Balochistan Assembly on August 27. Karachi Union of Journalists (KUJ) also announced the protest in front of Karachi Press Club same day.

Pakistan Press Foundation