ISLAMABAD: A meeting of the full court agreed to take action under the contempt of court law on Friday against those responsible behind a 'planted' TV show aired on Dunya TV on Wednesday.
The meeting, headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, also reviewed on-air and off-air footage of the show submitted by Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra).
A video had been uploaded on the video sharing social networking site YouTube on Thursday which had sent shockwaves throughout the media world. It showed an interview of business tycoon Malik Riaz jointly conducted by Dunya TV anchorpersons Meher Bokhari and Mubashir Lucman appeared to be completely scripted.
The anchors not only told their guest the questions beforehand, but also discussed the answers to those questions, at times even suggesting appropriate answers.
The chief justice had summoned all the judges of all registries to attend the 3pm meeting on Friday to discuss progress on rules of working committee, registration of advocates of record and fixation of cases.
However, outside the meeting it was widely believed that the meeting was being held in context of the Dr Arsalan Iftikhar financial misappropriations case and allegations monies had been exchanged to influence court cases against Riaz pending before the courts. But during the meeting, the chief justice took notice of the TV show and summoned its footage and script.
The on-air and off-air clips submitted by Pemra were viewed inside the courtroom in the presence of Pemra chairman.
The chief justice asked the Pemra chairman as to what they could do in order to stop such contemptuous programmes. The Pemra chairman replied that if the court takes a decision, then Pemra can initiate proceedings according to the law.
After the videos were reviewed, the Supreme Court registrar read out a note which stated that the anchors questioned Riaz according to the latter’s wish and the instructions passed on by the channel administration can also be seen in the leaked video.
The full court session also ordered the Pemra chairman to submit a comprehensive report on the issue.
The Supreme Court also constituted a two-member bench to investigate the matter.
Riaz was given questions and pre-prepared answers before the show began and Abdul Qadir Gilani’s call during the show also indicated that the show was planted, added the registrar.
According to the note, a conspiracy to defame the judiciary was being hatched in the show, and an attempt to make a mockery of the judiciary and the judges was also observed in the leaked video.
The video, titled ‘Malik Riaz Planted Interview with Mehar Bukhari and Mubashir Lukman on Dunya’ had been uploaded by a user named ‘ivestigativereporter’, showed the supposed off-air conversations between the hosts and the real estate tycoon during a two-hour exclusive show.
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Blood-i-----telligent-Fixers
This is brilliant, punish the people responsible for this. No mater who they are, including Malik Riaz. Law is the same for everyone. Love the CJ and there is no question of him resigning, no matter how hard the PPP tries to get rid of him. PM has actually been CONVICTED and he still hasn't resigned. Vote for IMRAN KHAN to save Pakistan, there is no hope otherwise. Country needs real reform
The whole civilian setup from journalists to rulers is sold out. Only army is not selling itself so far for petty gains.
Imagine how much of our coverage is scripted by US through mediums like ET.
@ ordinary villager your comments please on maryam nawaz/safdar (read as you like it) and hamza shahbaz intervention during the show.
I admire Zardari for depicting the real face of Different political parties(especially of MQM'S huffing and puffing about being a Middle-class party and anti-feudalist party)and about our so-called "ANGELIC MEDIA and biased Anchorpersons "in his era Now it's up to the people of of Pakistan to get benefited from this exposure and mould new Pakistan .
how can you not know that you are on air?i think this was all staged. the directors and anchors have ear plugs for communication surely they knew this was happening. this proves our media is run by people behind the scenes
Mubashir & Meher have destroyed the credibility of media .SHAME on you
@pakistanibaloch: An eye opener! I just its not true. But if it is, shame on me for having watched their shows.
How much time does ET take for moderation?
I think SC cannot take action whether they are planted or not, unless there is something derogatory against judiciary..
MR and CJ playing dirty games against each other.
@sumo: "Can some Indian friend post how many times the Indian Supreme Court has taken suo motu notices of petty and trivial issues during 2010, 2011, 2012?"
That is needed when other regular machinery of law enforcement is not doing its job.
I like Dunya News
Interesting observation by dad Chaudhary during full court reference, at public expense, that a phone call by PM's son during the show implicates PM. If an act by PM’s son makes PM responsible then why can't Arsalan's act implicate his dad by the very same token?
What a waste of public resources and public office to cover for one corrupt son. Conflict of interest as well as obstruction of justice and misuse of public funds. Is this not corruption and illegal?
Both lost credit but i believe we as a nation have very short memory. Both should be banned and should be punished including all involved. Thats the only way to purify media which is main pillar in democratic system. Whole media should not get blame done by few. Media outlets now should audit every anchors. Our system is democratic system around 2000 and this is our system exposing bad people. Let the system move on by removing these people and mature system is only way to make Pakistan a progressive state.
@Omer:
people dont miss a good thing until its gone. the country had stability, political or social under president musharraf. maybe we'll come to our senses in the next elections.
why are we all jumping? Media around the world is not "FREE", most of them work on some agendas, some media persons are actually on payrol of politicians, businessmen or a foriegn agencies. A current enquiry into phone hacking by news group of Ruppert Murdoch in UK is taking place, even after the newspaper is closed down as a result, current and past prime ministers, celebrities all appearing in commission to answer questions. This type of enquiry should be carried out how Riaz Malik type mafia linked to politics, media, government.
1) Mubashir Luqman - Received 2 Crore and 85 Lakh rupees in 3 installments through National Bank - Mercedes-Benz 2) Dr.Shahid Masood - Received 1 Crore and 7 Lakh rupees in 1 Instalments through National Bank - 7 Fully Paid trips to Dubai, Including Hotel stays and car Rentals 3) Najam Sethi - Received 1 Crore and 94 Lakh rupees - 1 Kanal Plot in Bahria Town Lahore - 3 Fully Paid Trips to USA including hotel stays Money Transferred From: Muslim Commercial Bank Main Boulevard DHA ,Lahore, Pakistan Account Title: Bahria Town (Pvt) Limited Account # : 14-7 Swift Code: MUCBPKKAA 4) Kamran Khan - Received 62 Lakh Rupees, was promised 2 Crore + a house in Bahria Town, but didn’t receive it until May 2012 Money Transferred From: NIBC Bank Limited (Bahria Town Branch) Account# 8283982 5) Hassan Nisar - Received 1 Crore and 10 Lakh Rupees - 10 Marla Plot in Bahria Town Money Transferred From: Account Title: Bahria Town Pvt. Limited Account# 42279-2 With Habib Bank Limited LDA Plaza Branch, Lahore Code:1315 Swift: HABBPKKAX315 6) Hamid Mir - Received 2 Crore and 50 Lakh Rupees - 5 Kanal Plot in Islamabad Money Transferred From: NIBC Bank Limited (Bahria Town Branch) Account# 8284059 7) Mazhar Abbas - Received 90 Lakh - 10 Marla Plot in Lahore Money Transferred From: MCB Account# 0075232201000124 8) Meher Bukhari - Received 50 Lacks on Her wedding with Kashif Abbasi - 1 Kanal Plot in Islamabad 9) Marvi Sirmed - Received 10 Lakh Rupees Money Transferred From: NIBC Bank Limited (Bahria Town Branch) Account# 8284059 10) Arshad Sharif - Promoted as Bureau Chief of Dunya Tv on the request of Malik Riaz in 2011 - Received 85 Lakh Rupees in 2 Instalments Money Transferred From: UBL Account# 37100154 11) Nusrat Javed - Received 78 Lakh Rupees+ Toyota Corolla Money Transferred From: Muslim Commercial Bank Main Boulevard DHA ,Lahore,Pakistan Account Title: Bahria Town (Pvt) Limited Account # : 14-7 Swift Code: MUCBPKKAA 12) Mushtaq Minhas - Received 55 Lakh Rupees in 2 Instalments Money Transferred From: Account Title: Bahria Town Pvt. Limited Account# 51077-6 With Habib Bank limited LDA Plaza Branch, Lahore Code:1315 Swift: HABBPKKAX315 13) Javed Chaudhry - Received 3 Lakh per column written under the name of Malik Riaz - 10 Marla House in Bahria Town - Received 1 Crore for helping to write a book for Malik Riaz Money Transferred From: UBL Account# 37100154 14) Sana Bucha - Received 83 Lakh Rupees - 10 Marla Plot in Lahore Money Transferred From: Muslim Commercial Bank Main Boulevard DHA ,Lahore,Pakistan Account Title: Bahria Town (Pvt) Limited Account # : 14-7 Swift Code: MUCBPKKAA 15) Muneeb Farooq - Received 25 Lakh Rupees - Fully paid round trip to Dubai and a week stay in 5 star hotel Money Transferred From: Askari Bank Account# 01000101011180 16) Aftab Iqbal - In 2010, with the help of Malik Riaz, Aftab Iqbal was able to join Geo Tv and start his new show Khabarnaak. - Ever since the show started Aftab Iqbal was paid by PML(N) & Malik Riaz to promote positive image of PML(N) - From 2010 to 2012, he was paid estimated 2 crore - Received Toyota Jeep - Land bought by Malik Riaz in Bedian Road was gifted to Aftab Iqbal to build his farm house Money Transferred From: Meezan Bank (Bahria Town Branch) Account# 3620 17) Sohail Waraich - Sohail was paid 15 Lakh Rupees to promote positive image of Malik Riaz in Aik Din Geo Ke Saath - Gifted Honda Civic to Sohail Waraich in 2008 Money Transferred From: Account Title: Bahria Town Pvt. Limited Account# 42279-2 With Habib Bank Limited LDA Plaza Branch, Lahore Code:1315 Swift: HABBPKKAX315 18) Asma Sherazi Received 45 Lakh Rupees 1 instalment Money Transfer From Account Title Bahria Town Pvt Limited Account #51077-5 With Habib Bank Limited LDA Plaza Bahria Town Lahore Code 1315 Swift:HABBPKKAX315 19) Sami Ibrahim Received 1 Crore 1 Kanal Plot in Bahria Town Received Toyota Corolla in 2010 Money Transfer From KASB Bank (Bahria Town Branch) Account #3710581401
Beginning of judicial dictatorship, is it?
So a leaked You-tube video can serve as evidence in this court but sworn testomony of David Headley and Ajmal Kasab, the hate speeches televised on Pakistan TV channles and the live video coverage of the 26/11 carnage where Kasab was clearly visible are not adequate proof.
This shows the journalists in a poor light...yes. But does it deserve a suo moto by CJ on a case where his son is a party OR should this be something that the press council should have addressed?
Even if CJ is honest, does this conflict of interest not trouble Pakistanis?
Oh my God! that's a real shock for me. Thank you to the person who leaked this video. Realy an eye opener. Mehar and Luqman, the self styled vigilantes you should now leave in shame!
if they are culprits an explample need to be set. put them behind bars
just thinking.... is it leaked or deliberate attempt to defame media as well?
It shows that some one from this government has hand in embarrassing the Chief Justice of Pakistan. Some of the Pakistani journalist never had any ethics, they are there to make money and the heck with true journalism. It is shameful for these people to call themselves journalists, I think the court should summon these two so called anchors, Bokhari and Lucman to explain under oath what was going on there and tell the truth.
Very disappointed in Mubashir...really thought he was trying to move to bring about real reform and accountability in public life. Vote for Imran Khan PTI to save this country. Otherwise there is a real danger of Pakistan turning into a failed state
After watching the shocking clips now i don't have more trust on political shows or anchors,but its not fair because we can`t deny the efforts of those who really working for "truth" and TALAT HUSSAIN (anchor) one of those.now this is a time Pakistani should awake and differentiate b/w right and wrong.if we really want our country back from corrupt people.
The anchors who are involved in this case should be punished. It is now obvious that Malik Riaz is the most powerful man in Pakistan. Now it seems that all the things related to this case have been panted by someone else.
@Zafar Sultan: lol. Ditto!
All the corrupt politicians, generals, journalists and other mafia leaders and members are united against the independent honest judiciary
But i ask you i cant understand whats petty in that. They are brainstorming on the session thats what everyone does. I dont have fate in credibility of female anchor as she is quite renowned for her previous stints but i believe lucman is a nice guy and he was adamant that he will not say what management wants him to say. I don't know why is he blamed. They are saying phone call of a higher official came, i ask you didn't an anchor of another channel roam around in bus with CM advocating his political stance single sided blatantly. What do you call that? I cant understand whats this fuss is about. Why are we so bent upon making one party as evil and the other as Holy Cow. Which they both aren't in reality.
@ Asif Iqbal:
Thank you for your comments.
These juornalists and TV achors are supposed to be removed from their respective offices by the owners of the Newspapers as well as by the owners of TV channels and new faces should be introduced, who are real professionals, and not the blackmailers.
Like any other corrput government officials, they have accumulated illegal wealth by blackmailing the people which should be confiscated by the courts.
As soons as they get the news against some one, they call the person and ask for the money. If the journalists and TV anchors are paid, they do not realease the news and in case if some one refuse to do so, his or her news become the breaking news.
If the journalists did not follow the "Media House Policy / Directions" they would have lost their jobs. Some blame lies on the Media House as well as squarely blaming the anchors would be injustice.
come on guys n girls dont get hyper and excited...if the prog is paid or whtever in the it fill benefir Mr Malik and Mr zaradri one became more famous and one can easily run his govt for few months quite easily....so chill and now wait for few more upload in coming days ...now the fight is diverted to media vs media....its no more govt vs media. :)
Mr Z and Mr M both got what they want.
Where are the Raiz Malik Supporters? Look your face in the mirror.. Shame on Riaz Malik's supports and Dunya TV
All my comments ARE MODERATED.i SHOULD ONLY WRITE WHAT PLEASES U, AS THESE ANCHORS DID TO PLEASE SOMEONE. i WOULD NOT BWRITE ANY MORE, THANKS
media was always known to be like this..... this event has revealed that even SC cannot solve a single problem in pakistan...
we need a system overhauling, rebel!
Our cricketers were rightly jailed for Fixing the spot faixing. It is time these TWO ANCHORS SHOULD BE dealt and swift justice be dispensed
Boycotting Duniya News is not enough. This was so disgraceful that Duniya News should be banned.
Sumoto Sumoto Sumto Notice for Sale , for Sale for Sale
I am surprised that the same SC could not summon footage of the antics of lal masjid goons, who were let off without any punishment due to 'lack of evidence'. Goes to show how selective the judgements and actions of the SC are.
@Umayr: Why Not Boycott PTI because the Owner of Dunya News is a Senior Member of PTI??
The movie "Ghalib 2".
Both has lost their careers
@sumo: is there same issues over there?
Meher Bokhari and Zaid Hamid for a mutual admiration society. So now we know where is this coming from.
Where is Kashif Abbassi ......on this now? Should he not be asked if he knew what his wife is doing (i.e. since hes been asking the same questions that why CJ did not know what his son was doing?) Time to pay pack.....Mr Kashif!
Maryam Nawaz :D
Disgusting and real shame for both the anchors, its a criminal act and both should be teated with iron hands and such anchors should be permanently banned. They are the traitors. Does every anchor carry some price to change his words and thoughts that are misleading the whole nations. Very unethical !!!!
I think when the five Pakistani cricketers took bribe for spot fixing, they were just acting involuntarily as per the aspirations of their elite countrymen and women!, and should be pardoned now for their act at least in Pakistan. They are innocent victims of the larger system they live in. Most probably same anchors punished these players during their media trail at that time.
And then they say we want freedom of speech!!!!!
@Umayr: P.S. thanks to Talat Hussain exposing them in detail
get both anchors in jail. they dont deserve to serve pakistan any more
@Yaida M: You think the judges are angels. They will prove to be worse than the MNAs.
@sumo: How is it petty?
@Yaida M: lol
@Mohhamd Ali Siddiqui: A sweeping statement. There are good and bad ppl everywhere. I know I have lived abroad in many places. All there has to be done it to weed them out and move forward.
yesterday i was watching this video and cat fights on every news channel and i was like what is happening in our country? I certainly started to hate all journalists because of this .there is lie, deceit, fraud every where .
Dunya TV should be banned. This will send a clairvoyant to other channel owners as well. The bias in media, reflecting funding, is quite obvious and needs to be dealt under corruption laws.
@Muhammad Mehdi Raza: how i don't understand. Why would they axe their own feet.
People need to not only realise this ugly fact but be conscious about it here onwards. I knew of this fact: that there are anchors and journalist bought and paid but how will disguised they are, is the remarkable thing. Wow.
shame on these anchors ... they are reason of hopelessness in this country.
And these very anchors form the opinion of our 'youth'
Mubasher lost credibility for me after doing blunders on Punjab Government's laptop scheme and now Meher Bukhari has also lost her clout.
It is time to shift the parliament to the SC. Make all the judges MNAs.
@sumo: Exactly Zero.
We have a corrupt media, judiciary and parliament. Governance and socio-economic indicators were much stronger under Musharraf.
the whole nation is for sale, everyone from top to the bottom including myself, believe me or not
Maybe Malik Riaz has also funded Duniya TV?
It's not only the anchors but the top level managment at Dunya TV who are to blame. Same thing should be done to Dunya as that to News of the World. Irresponsible journalism is a crime!!
JUst shows the depth of conspiracy to discredit the Supreme Court and the Chief Justice. Let there be an investigation against all parties involved including Arsalan and Malik Riaz, but for God's sake hold the courts in esteem or there will be nothing left.
the video was uploaded by 'ivestigativereporter' there is NO "n" in investigative (check youtube again thx)
I request the Hon'ble Supreme Court of Pakistan to please make public the names of the persons whom Malik Riaz paid in millions to work for him or assist him in controversial matters or allotted plots/villas/flats. Also punish all of them in such a way that it must be an example/lesson for the generations to come.
Now Inshallah I am very hopeful that revolution/change is bound to come sooner than later.
PAKISTAN PAAINDABAD
Mian Aamir emerged main character behind the planted interview. Ch. Brothers and lot of others involved may surface soon.
Here is the truth abouth these anchors who have been paid by Malik riaz
http://www.pakistankakhudahafiz.com/2012/06/14/a-list-of-19-journalists-allegedly-bribed-by-malik-riaz/
And he says he doesn't give bribes
Hmm..... Maybe this is exactly what they wanted.
& the honorable Syed Tallat Hussain exposed it all..........
Awesome move by the SC, also plz summon Mubashar Lucman and Meher Bokhari in the case so that it will reveal how much money was given to them by Malik Riaz & Mian Amir.
What a shame
SC is the last hope for pakistani people.
Revolution is in the air.....Hope it ends for the GOOD !!!!!!
Mubashir and Mehr should be treated the way Amir liaquat ('Ghalib film' fame) was treated! Bycott DUNYA NEWS because owner of this channel instructed them to implant this interview! WELL DONE whoever released this video!