Plea against Mubashir Luqman dismissed
A sessions court dismissed on Thursday a petition seeking registration of an FIR against Mubashir Luqman.
KARACHI:
A sessions court dismissed on Thursday a petition seeking registration of an FIR against Mubashir Luqman, the host of Express TV Channel’s programme ‘Point-Blank’.
Mian Mehmood, a resident of PECHS, Block 6, had filed a petition through his lawyer in the court of additional district and sessions judge (east), Sanaullah Ghori.
The petitioner held that on June 2, 2010, the channel broadcast its programme (Point-Blank with Luqman) in which spiritual leader of Qadianis – Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (Qadiani) – was also invited “which hurt my and millions of fellow Muslims’ religious sensibilities”.
He maintained that during the programme, Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (Qadiani) openly described himself as “Ahmadi Muslim”, and thereby made a mockery of the anti-Qadiani ordinance and disparaged the constitution of Pakistan. Therefore, he continued, the court order registration of FIR against Mubashir Luqman.
During the hearing of the petition, a member of Sindh Bar Council, Naeem Qureshi appeared on behalf of Express News, and argued that the court was not competent to take action on the application.
He further held that the media enjoyed freedom in the country, and everyone had a right to religious practice and give vent to his viewpoint. Everyone is also made subject of criticism. He maintained that Express News is a distinguished TV channel and some people want to use its name to gain cheap publicity.
After weighing the arguments of both sides, the court disposed of the petition.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 30th, 2010.
A sessions court dismissed on Thursday a petition seeking registration of an FIR against Mubashir Luqman, the host of Express TV Channel’s programme ‘Point-Blank’.
Mian Mehmood, a resident of PECHS, Block 6, had filed a petition through his lawyer in the court of additional district and sessions judge (east), Sanaullah Ghori.
The petitioner held that on June 2, 2010, the channel broadcast its programme (Point-Blank with Luqman) in which spiritual leader of Qadianis – Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (Qadiani) – was also invited “which hurt my and millions of fellow Muslims’ religious sensibilities”.
He maintained that during the programme, Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (Qadiani) openly described himself as “Ahmadi Muslim”, and thereby made a mockery of the anti-Qadiani ordinance and disparaged the constitution of Pakistan. Therefore, he continued, the court order registration of FIR against Mubashir Luqman.
During the hearing of the petition, a member of Sindh Bar Council, Naeem Qureshi appeared on behalf of Express News, and argued that the court was not competent to take action on the application.
He further held that the media enjoyed freedom in the country, and everyone had a right to religious practice and give vent to his viewpoint. Everyone is also made subject of criticism. He maintained that Express News is a distinguished TV channel and some people want to use its name to gain cheap publicity.
After weighing the arguments of both sides, the court disposed of the petition.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 30th, 2010.