IHC reserves judgment case against Zaid Hamid

Web Desk — Tue, 10 Jun 2014 09:39:53 +0000

ISLAMABAD: Islamabad High Court (IHC) Chief Justice (CJ) Muhammad Anwar Khan Kasi Monday reserved judgment in the matter of Independent Media Corporation (IMC) lawsuit against Zaid Hamid for leveling false and baseless allegations against Geo TV and Jang Group.

Legal counsel for IMC, Faisal Iqbal advocate appeared before the court and said that Zaid Hamid leveled false and baseless allegations against Geo and Jang Group on different television channels without any proof.

Hamid started his malicious campaign on July 15, 2013 at an ARY television programme “Khara Sach”. He afterwards continued with his it at Express TV programme “Kal Tak” and Dawn News programme “News Eye” to damage the credibility of the petitioner.

The IMC on July 17 dispatched a legal notice to Hamid who instead of replying the notice, tweeted ridiculous and non-reasonable messages. The IMC then filed this lawsuit on July 30, 2013.

Counsel for IMC produced CDs and transcript before the court as proof of his contentions. The IHC, after hearing the final arguments, reserved judgment in this matter. It is to mention here that IHC bench has already declared this matter ex-parte as Zaid Hamid did not filed his representation before the court despite repeated notices.

The News

SC admits treason plea against journalists, SAFMA

Web Desk — Thu, 08 May 2014 13:29:10 +0000

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Wednesday admitted a petition filed by political analyst Zaid Hamid seeking a treason trial against well-known journalists and the South Asia Free Media Association (SAFMA) for allegedly undermining the Two Nation Theory and glory of Islam. The petition has also nominated director general of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), minister for information and broadcasting and the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) for allegedly failing to curtail such activities. Justice Nasirul Mulk conducted a hearing on the petition in his chambers where Ahmed Raza Kasuri presented himself on behalf of Zaid Hamid. Justice Nasirul Mulk admitted the petition for hearing after rejecting the objections raised by the Supreme Court registrar.

Zaid Hamid has, in his petition, sought initiation of a treason trial against several journalists associated with the South Asian Free Media Association, including Khalid Ahmed, Beena Sarwar, Sarmad Manzoor and Imtiaz Alam, besides anchorpersons Nusrat Javed, Hamid Mir, Najam Sethi, Hassan Nisar as well as former president of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) Asma Jehangir. The petitioner has contended that the respondents have been undermining the message of Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Allama Iqbal, the Two-Nation Theory, ideology of Pakistan and above all the “glory of Islam”, at the behest of India, and thus portend an existential risk to Pakistan’s national security. The petition also sought a ban on their appearance on TV because “these people gave statements against the Two-Nation Theory, the constitution and Quaid-i-Azam”.

Zaid Hamid has also prayed to the court that an explanation be sought from minister for information and broadcasting, Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority and director general of the Inter-Services Intelligence over broadcast of such “anti-country” content. The petition was filed by Zaid Hamid two years back on March 27, 2012.

Daily Times

Zaid Hamid – Pakistan Freedom of Expression Monitor

IHC reserves judgment case against Zaid Hamid

SC admits treason plea against journalists, SAFMA