Defame others and keep absent from court!

ISLAMABAD: It has become a routine for a section of media to mudsling and defame notables and refrain from appearing before court when summoned.

On Monday, once again the lawyer of ARY TV failed to come to the court to defend its Chief Executive Officer Salman Iqbal whose arrest warrant has been issued for leveling false and fabricated allegations against Jang Group. Because of absence of the lawyer, Islamabad High Court (IHC) Judge Justice Athar Minallah adjourned the proceedings without hearing the case.

On the last hearing, the court rejected the plea for cancellations of arrest warrant for Salman Iqbal and adjourned hearing till December 5. On Monday, Jang Group lawyer Amir Abdullah Abbasi appeared in court but the court was told that Salman Iqbal’s lawyer failed to come because of his business.

Independent Media Corporation (Jang Group) has filed case against ARY TV for leveling baseless allegations to defame the organisation. Trial court issued Salman Iqbal bailable arrest warrant for continuously absenting himself from court proceedings.

Salman Iqbal got a stay order from the IHC but later the high court told him to go to the relevant forum and disposed of the case. After his review petition was thrown out by the sessions court, he again got a stay order from the IHC on May 27.