Plea against Altaf Hussain: LHC reissues notices calling for replies
On May 24 the judged had sought replies ‘within two weeks’.
The applicant had requested that the Pemra should stop local media houses from covering Hussain’s speeches. PHOTO: FILE
LAHORE:
Justice Muhammad Khalid Mahmood Khan of the Lahore High Court on Wednesday again sought replies on an application seeking ban on the media coverage of addresses and speeches by the Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief Altaf Hussain.
On May 24, the judge had sought replies from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority and Hussain within two weeks. The federal government and Altaf Hussain have yet to submit a reply.
Lawyer Fayyaz Ahmad Mehr had moved the application in his already pending petition seeking a ban on MQM and the arrest of its chief for allegedly speaking against Pakistan’s ideology in his May 12 speech.
The applicant had requested that the Pemra should stop local media houses from covering Hussain’s speeches.
The judge had turned down the request for instant relief and had remarked that it would be appropriate to hear the other side before a stay order was passed.
In the main petition, Mehr had submitted that Hussain in his address to party workers had made threats to the Election Commission of Pakistan, the establishment, the media and political workers.
He said the MQM chief had demanded that Karachi be separated from Pakistan. The petitioner said that this demand violated the Constitution.
He alleged that Hussain’s speech amounted to a move to destabilise the country.
The petitioner submitted that under Article 5 of the Constitution, loyalty to the state was the basic duty of all citizens.
Mehr said Hussain’s speech was anti-Pakistan and amounted to treason. He said therefore he be brought back to Pakistan and be punished in accordance with law.
He said according to the Political Parties Order 2002, only Pakistanis could form, organise, continue or set up a political party.
He submitted that Section 5(1) of Chapter II of Political Parties Order 2002, did not allow Altaf Hussain to serve as an office bearer of a political party in Pakistan considering he was not qualified to be a member of the parliament.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 6th, 2013.
Justice Muhammad Khalid Mahmood Khan of the Lahore High Court on Wednesday again sought replies on an application seeking ban on the media coverage of addresses and speeches by the Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief Altaf Hussain.
On May 24, the judge had sought replies from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority and Hussain within two weeks. The federal government and Altaf Hussain have yet to submit a reply.
Lawyer Fayyaz Ahmad Mehr had moved the application in his already pending petition seeking a ban on MQM and the arrest of its chief for allegedly speaking against Pakistan’s ideology in his May 12 speech.
The applicant had requested that the Pemra should stop local media houses from covering Hussain’s speeches.
The judge had turned down the request for instant relief and had remarked that it would be appropriate to hear the other side before a stay order was passed.
In the main petition, Mehr had submitted that Hussain in his address to party workers had made threats to the Election Commission of Pakistan, the establishment, the media and political workers.
He said the MQM chief had demanded that Karachi be separated from Pakistan. The petitioner said that this demand violated the Constitution.
He alleged that Hussain’s speech amounted to a move to destabilise the country.
The petitioner submitted that under Article 5 of the Constitution, loyalty to the state was the basic duty of all citizens.
Mehr said Hussain’s speech was anti-Pakistan and amounted to treason. He said therefore he be brought back to Pakistan and be punished in accordance with law.
He said according to the Political Parties Order 2002, only Pakistanis could form, organise, continue or set up a political party.
He submitted that Section 5(1) of Chapter II of Political Parties Order 2002, did not allow Altaf Hussain to serve as an office bearer of a political party in Pakistan considering he was not qualified to be a member of the parliament.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 6th, 2013.