Contempt proceedings against anchorperson dropped after apology

ISLAMABAD: An Islamabad High Court (IHC) bench here on Wednesday dropped contempt of court proceedings against a private TV channel management and anchorperson Matiullah Jan as they tendered unconditional apologies.

On February 7, IHC bench took notice of the contents of a private TV programme that was telecast on February 5 where the anchorperson had discussed the issue of lawyers’ encroachment on a football ground for construction of their chambers. IHC bench in its previous order noted on Feb 5, the programme was participated by advocate Riasat Ali Azad, President District Bar Association and Abdul Qayyum Siddiqui, senior correspondent Geo TV in which name of the judge of this court was repeatedly mentioned with mala fide intentions, ulterior motives and in order to mislead the viewers.

The programme included a four-year-old voice of a lawyer who had alleged said that Justice Siddiqui allowed the lawyers to construct their chambers on the football ground. In today's hearing, the anchorperson through an undertaking submitted before the court that he regretted airing of some unverified information in the programme and assured the court of remaining cautious in future particularly regarding judiciary.

IHC bench in its today's order said that contempt proceedings against the respondents had been dropped by showing grace and kindness. The order said that it was expected as per undertaking rendered by the respondents, they would remain within the limits prescribed by the organic law of the country, i.e. Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan and other laws of the land.

The CEO of the private TV channel, bureau chief, production team and anchorperson tendered apologies.