Hidden message: CJP’s image in campaign ad
The petitioner said the publication of the ad was a violation of ECP and Pemra rules.
LAHORE:
A petition has been filed before the LHC seeking a ban on a PML-N campaign advertisement containing a shot of the chief justice of Pakistan. The petitioner says the PML-N has tried to create the impression that it has the judiciary’s backing. Advocate Aftab Sheikh filed the petition on Thursday through Advocate Latif Khosa naming the Election Commission, the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra), the Daily Jang editor and Nawaz Sharif as respondents. The petitioner submitted that an advertisement supplement in Daily Jang (May 9) had carried a picture of Nawaz Sharif alongside Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, giving an impression that the judiciary supported the PML-N. He said use of the photograph, the names, authority and judicial institution could not be countenanced for a fair, free and transparent election. He said May 9 (last date for political campaigning) had been particularly chosen for the publication so that there was no scope for rebuttal or denial. The petitioner said the publication of the ad was a violation of ECP and Pemra rules. He asked that the ad be banned and the PML-N and Sharif be stopped from taking part in elections.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 10th, 2013.
A petition has been filed before the LHC seeking a ban on a PML-N campaign advertisement containing a shot of the chief justice of Pakistan. The petitioner says the PML-N has tried to create the impression that it has the judiciary’s backing. Advocate Aftab Sheikh filed the petition on Thursday through Advocate Latif Khosa naming the Election Commission, the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra), the Daily Jang editor and Nawaz Sharif as respondents. The petitioner submitted that an advertisement supplement in Daily Jang (May 9) had carried a picture of Nawaz Sharif alongside Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, giving an impression that the judiciary supported the PML-N. He said use of the photograph, the names, authority and judicial institution could not be countenanced for a fair, free and transparent election. He said May 9 (last date for political campaigning) had been particularly chosen for the publication so that there was no scope for rebuttal or denial. The petitioner said the publication of the ad was a violation of ECP and Pemra rules. He asked that the ad be banned and the PML-N and Sharif be stopped from taking part in elections.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 10th, 2013.