ISLAMABAD- Islamabad High Court (IHC) has issued contempt of court notice to Mubashar Luqman, anchorperson of a private TV channel, Suleman Iqbal, chief executive of ARY, Pervez Rathore, chairman PEMRA and information secretary and sought replies from them.

Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui remarked “ as to why a commission not be appointed to expose so called journalists to whom funds are provided from outside the country, gifts are given to them and they are in contact with different embassies. Costly vehicles are given to them. These all facts should be brought to open.”
The court ruled that Supreme Court (SC), High Courts (HCs) and other courts believe in independence of media and respect media. But no one has any right to unleash propaganda in their programs.
A single bench of IHC led by Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui took up for hearing District Bar Association Islamabad (DBAI) versus ARY News Channel case today.
Syed Nayyab Hassan Gardezi former president DBAI appeared in the court arguing that derogatory programs are being aired since some time back by a specific TV channel against judges of SC, HCs and other courts but no action has been taken by the government as well as PEMRA in this regard. Contempt of court plea has been filed in the court under article 204 of the constitution.
He took the plea that judiciary was restored due to untiring efforts of legal fraternity. But certain elements could not stomach the independence and fortification of judiciary and the superior judiciary is being denigrated through vicious propagandas.
He argued that certain material is found in ARY TV programs through which SC was targeted. It indicates that anchorperson of private TV channel and its chief executive officer are working under a specific agenda.
He prayed to court to initiate contempt of court proceedings against Mubashar Luqman, anchorperson of private TV channel, Suleman Iqbal chief executive, chairman PEMRA and information secretary.
The court ruled “a targeted campaign has been launched in program “ Khara Such” which is aimed at launching propaganda campaign against courts, institutions and lawyers community so that dignity of SC and HC court could  be hurt. They have crossed certain limits while conducting the program. But no action has so far been taken by government and PEMRA.”
The court also issued orders for providing all the CDs of “ Khara Sch”program aired by ARY TV from May 22 to 31, 2014. The hearing of the case was adjourned till first week of July.