MQM supremo ‘regrets’ hurting sentiments

Terms court order a serious curb on freedom of expression

LAHORE: MQM chief Altaf Hussain has submitted an affidavit before the Lahore High Court saying “I regret if anyone’s sentiments are hurt” because of my speech.

In his three-page affidavit, Altaf however, criticised the court order stopping media coverage of his speeches, terming it a serious curb on freedom of expression. In his affidavit he also defended his controversial speech, saying that he criticised the use of force against his party and his rhetoric was misconstrued.

He further submitted, “in three interviews to different TV channels I explained my misconstrued words and if the learned law officers had presented the subsequent television interviews, the honorable court may have withheld its order.”

Earlier the court, on September 7 had held that there is sufficient material available on record to issue directions to Pemra to completely black out the activities of Altaf including his speeches, any news regarding his activities as well as display of his picture on electronic media.

During the course of hearing, the court asked the state counsel about the status of Altaf’s citizenship. His counsel Asma Jahangir objected that the court can’t ask about his nationality, to which Justice Sardar Tariq Masood snubbed her saying she should not try to intervene in the court’s function.

The court adjourned the hearing till October 9 before asking the counsel for petitioner to prepare his arguments on the affidavit.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 3^rd, 2015.