Sherry’s nomination challenged

Gill accuses Rehman of blasphemy in remarks she made during on television.

MULTAN:

A petition, challenging Sherry Rehman’s nomination as Pakistan’s ambassador to the United States, was filed in the Multan bench of the Lahore High Court on Wednesdy. Faheem Akhtar Gill, a businessman, filed the application accusing Rehman of blasphemy in remarks she made during on television. Gill said that Rehman did not deserve to represent the federation of Pakistan and its people.

The petitioner submitted that after Rehman uttered ‘blasphemous’ remarks during a programme, a petition was moved in the court of an additional sessions judge who directed the police to file an FIR against Sherry Rehman. The police, however, had not complied, saying that since the programme had been aired from Islamabad, they did not have jurisdiction.

The petitioner then filed an appeal with the Multan bench of the Lahore High Court, which is pending. Gill asked the court to issue an order staying Rehman’s nomination until the court rules on the pending petition. A judge will hear the case today (Thursday).

Published in The Express Tribune, November 24^th, 2011.