Ban on speeches: LHC seeks fresh affidavit from MQM chief

Full bench says colour of affidavit pages should be white, not green

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) has objected on the affidavit submitted by Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain, observing that it was not the affidavit which was sought earlier over his speeches against state institutions.

The order was passed on Wednesday by a full bench, headed by Justice Syed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi, on several petitions seeking permanent ban on the MQM supremo over his derogatory speeches against the state institutions including Rangers and army.

As the proceedings commenced, Asma Jahangir, counsel for Altaf, appeared before the bench and submitted the affidavit of her client.

The colour of affidavit pages was green to which Justice Naqvi raised objection, saying white papers are used in LHC for affidavit. Asma replied that she will check it.

However, she said that the court has banned speeches of her client which is against the Constitution. Upon this, the justice observed that the court has banned those who were speaking against the Constitution.

The attorney said that speaking is a fundamental right under Article 19-A of the Constitution. At this point, Justice Naqvi said that the ban has been imposed on the violation of Article 19-A.

“It is for the first time in the country’s history that such ban has been imposed,” Asma said.

The MQM leader’s counsel contended that she was not issued any written order according to which she could submit the affidavit.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 12^th, 2015.