LHC bans airing of anti-state speeches by MQM chief Altaf Hussain

LAHORE: A full bench of the Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday placed a ban on broadcasting and publishing of anti-state speeches by Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) supremo Altaf Hussain.

The three-judge full bench, led by Justice Mazahir Ali Naqvi and comprising Justice Mazhar Iqbal Sidhu and Justice Erum Sajjad Gul, conducted it's hearing into three identical pleas filed against the MQM chief in the Lahore High Court.

The petitioners contend that Altaf Hussain and the MQM's Rabitta Committee members have been delivering speeches against the state and the Pakistan military, and ask the court to order the government to try Hussain for high treason under Article 6 of the Constitution.

Announcing its orders today, the LHC issued notices to Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) and the federal government in this regard and instructed them to submit their replies by the next hearing.

The bench also inquired of the interior secretary whether or not Hussain had renounced his Pakistani citizenship. The judges also summoned the records of the MQM chief's speeches and statements at the next hearing.