Television network seeks to become party to lawsuit

Geo television network asks to become party to lawsuit filed by ARY digital network against anchor Dr Shaista Wahidi.

KARACHI: The Geo television network has asked to become an intervenor or party to a lawsuit filed by the ARY digital network against anchor Dr Shaista Wahidi.

The plaintiff maintains that defendant Dr Shaista Wahidi, despite repeated commitments, left ARY digitial and joined Geo in a breach of contract and therefore should be ordered to perform her obligations according to the contract between the parties.

Justice Maqbool Baqar of the Sindh High Court earlier heard arguments by Wahidi’s lawyer Qutbuddin Saim Hashmi. He relied on different documents, including payment sheets, emails etc. to show the court that ARY was unable to pay the people associated with its show ‘Good Morning Pakistan’ including its producer, anchor etc. He submitted that ARY had failed to make payments as agreed upon by the parties in written agreement and there was always a delay in the payment of their salaries.

The bench asked Wahidi’s lawyer to remain focused and confine his arguments to the alleged default. “It would be easier if you came up with a table otherwise I will have to work it out in the chamber,” observed Justice Baqar.

The counsel for the respondents was at his feet when the bench rose for the day. It was at this stage that Barrister Akram Sheikh moved an application on behalf of Geo television network, stating that it was a necessary party but had not been made party to the suit. The bench put off the hearing till Jan 12 as Sheikh told the bench that he was not available for the whole of December.

A suit filed by Dr Shaista Wahidi against ARY for unpaid dues is also pending adjudication before the SHC.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 2^nd, 2010.