Pakistan court lifts ban on TV anchor

Islamabad: Pakistan’s top court on Thursday suspended an Islamabad High Court (IHC) order barring Mubashir Lucman, an anchor with the private ARY television channel, from conducting any shows.

A three-member bench headed by Justice Nasir Malek passed the order during the hearing of Lucman’s petition against the IHC decision given earlier this month.

Lucman’s counsel contended that his client’s point of view was not heard before he was banned on the grounds that he had derided the judiciary in his programmes.

The court issued notices to the respondents including Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority, Geo/Jang Group and the Attorney-General in connection with Lucman’s petition.

The IHC had put the restriction on the anchor after a petition filed by the Lal Masjid Shuhada (matryrs) Foundation.