No one can be given licence to defame anyone: CJ

Says body language can depict contempt; blasphemy against Holy Prophet (PBUH), who is cause of creation of world, cannot be tolerated; contempt petition against Pemra rejected; directs private TV channel CE, anchor to submit replies in 15 days

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday sought within 15 days replies from Chief Executive (CE) and an anchor of a private TV in contempt petitions filed by Independent Media Group (Jang-Geo) and Shahzeb Khanzada, anchorperson of Geo TV.

A three-member bench of the apex court headed by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar heard the contempt of court petitions and issued notices. Faisal Siddique, counsel for Independent Media Group (Jang-Geo) and Shahzeb Khanzada, contended that both criminal contempt petitions against the private channel and the anchor should be heard separately.

The court accepted the plea of the learned counsel and issued notices to chief executive of the private channel Shoaib Sheikh, producer Shahzeb and anchor Amir Liaquat Khan with the direction to submit their replies within fifteen days.

Independent Media Group (Jang-Geo) had filed the contempt petition in the apex court with the plea that the respondents have violated the order of the apex court as well as its own affidavit and code of conduct of journalists and laws of Pakistan Electronic Regulatory Authority (Pemra); hence, contempt of court proceedings be initiated against them.

Similarly, Shahzeb Khanzada also filed a contempt petition praying to initiate contempt of court proceedings under Article 204 (2) (a) and (c) of the Constitution against the anchor, CE, and producer of the private TV channel.

It was further prayed that contemners may be restrained from defaming the petitioner by stopping the broadcast of his programme. During the course of hearing, Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar made it clear that if the court’s order was violated, then they will take stern action. He said the contempt matter is between the contemners and the court.

At the same time, the chief justice said that they would also examine the laws of Pemra from the touchstone of freedom of expression. The court dismissed the contempt petition filed by the private TV against Pemra.

“Nobody would be given a licence to defame anyone,” the chief justice said adding that television is visual media wherein sometime body language can also depict picture of contempt. The Chief Justice continued, “We cannot tolerate any blasphemous remarks against our Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him).” He said the law is available in this regard.

He observed that Holy Prophet (PBUH) is cause of creation of world and no one can blaspheme him (PBUH). The Chief Justice said, “Look into the speeches of father of the nation Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and on which foundations he founded the country giving also rights to the minorities as well.”

Anwar Mansoor Khan, counsel for private TV, sought some time for submitting reply as he said that some additional documents have been filed in the matter which the court accepted and asked him to file the reply within 15 days.

Meanwhile, the court observed after the final order passed by the Pemra, the application became anfractuous and hence disposed of the matter.