Treason case: LHC wants to know if ban on Altaf's speeches is being implemented?

Court directs federal govt to submit record of MQM supremo's speeches and nationalities on September 7

The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday sought replies from the federal government and the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) about the implementation of ban on live broadcast of speeches by Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Chief Altaf Hussain.

A three-judge bench headed by Justice Anwarul Haq heard several petitions seeking a ban on live broadcast of speeches by the MQM chief and leaders of his party. The bench also directed the interior ministry to submit a report about Altaf’s nationality.

Some members of the civil society and lawyers had filed the petitions against the MQM chief after he issued remarks against the Pakistan Army, Rangers and the state in violation of Article 5 of the Constitution.

The petitioners argued that since Altaf was a British national and a foreigner, he cannot become head of a political party as per law. They further argued that Altaf had no right to deliver speeches live on local television channels.

They contended that Altaf had violated Article 243, 244 and 245 and Article 62 and 63 of the Constitution by showing his support to anti-state powers in his speeches. They added that they had approached the prime minister’s office and ministry of interior, but no action was taken.

In addition to seeking a ban on the MQM chief’s speeches, the petitioners also sought a gag order for speeches by MQM leaders on local television, including Baber Ghauri, Farooq Sattar, Nadeem Nusrat, Ateequr Rehman, Irshad Zafar and Khalid Maqbool.

A law officer told the bench that PEMRA had already banned live television coverage of speeches by Altaf.

On this, the bench sought a compliance report from the federal government and PEMRA. The court then directed Attorney General of Pakistan, Advocate General Punjab to assist the court on the next hearing as it adjourned till September 7.

Earlier, it had been reported that the Lahore High Court (LHC) placed a ban on the broadcast of  Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain's speeches, Express News reported.

Read: MQM leadership: Stay order sought on Altaf’s speeches

Further, the court directed the federal government to submit a record of Altaf’s speeches and the nationalities that he holds in court at its next hearing.

Last month, the LHC had formed a full bench to take up the petition seeking trial of the MQM chief under treason charges.

Aftab Virk, the petitioner, had claimed that the interior and information ministries had failed to initiate action against the MQM supremo, despite his derogatory remarks against the integrity of the country and its armed forces. He said Altaf’s speeches were tantamount to treason and appealed to the court to issue directives to the executive to lodge treason cases against the MQM leader and members of his immediate political coterie.

Read: Treason charges: LHC’s three-judge bench to hear petition seeking Altaf’s trial

About 50 cases have already been registered under sections pertaining to terrorism and criminal intimidation over Altaf’s July 12 speech, in which he allegedly used derogatory language against the armed forces and the paramilitary Rangers.