Altaf Hussain speeches case dismissed

LAHORE
THE Lahore High Court Thursday dismissed as withdrawn a writ petition seeking ban on media coverage of MQM Chief Altaf Hussain’s speeches in light of allegations levelled by Saulat Mirza, a death row prisoner and activist of the party.
As Justice Ijazul Ahsan started hearing, the petitioner, Advocate Kashif Sulemani argued that the MQM chief was a British national and no foreign citizen could become head of a political party in Pakistan as per Political Parties Act. He said Altaf Hussain had no right to deliver speeches on television channels in Pakistan. Moreover, he said, Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) be directed to ban coverage of Altaf Hussain’s speeches after the statement of Saulat Mirza.