News Analysis|
Famous televangelist and lawmaker Aamir Liaquat Hussain who recently made headlines for his second marriage was acquitted in the Contempt of Court Case on Thursday. The case was initiated against him for violating earlier undertakings regarding not to use hate speech or derogatory language against individuals, including media persons.
A three-member bench of the SC headed by Chief Justice Saqib Nisar concluded the case after Hussain placed himself at the mercy of the court. The court accepted his unconditional apology.
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The petition was filed in the Supreme Court by anchorperson Shahzeb Khanzada, Independent Media Corporation (Pvt) Ltd, Mir Ibrahim-ur-Rehman and Najam Aziz Sethi that accused Hussain of flouting the March 28, 2017, order restraining him from carrying out defamatory campaigns and conducting television shows in an unethical manner.
The objectionable content in question was aired on the Bol TV programme “Aisay Nahi Chalay Ga” on March 9 last year.
According to the charges against Hussain, he had on March 9, 2017, violated an order of the court dated March 3, 2017. The court stated in the charge sheet that the MNA’s conduct, based on excerpts from his TV programme and his statement, was tantamount to disobeying, disregarding, and flouting the orders of the court. He was also charge-sheeted for obstructing, interfering, and prejudicing the process of law.
It is worth mentioning that on 11th September, during a hearing of the case, the CJP was extremely unhappy to watch some video clips played in the courtroom. Dr. Hussain was seen inciting violence and using derogatory language against the petitioners, a TV anchor Shahzeb Khanzada, Independent Media Corporation (Pvt) Ltd, Mir Ibrahim-ur-Rehman and Najam Aziz Sethi. “One cannot go about apologizing after committing contempt of court,” Justice Nisar observed.
The petitioners, represented by senior counsel Faisal Siddiqui, earlier contended that 13 orders had been passed by the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) and even bans had been slapped on Hussain on a number of times, but all in vain, adding that he should be dealt with sternly for the breach of his earlier undertakings.
Aamir Liaquat Hussain’s Political Career
Aamir Liaquat Hussain, a son of politician Sheikh Liaquat Hussain and renowned columnist Mahmooda Sultana, contested his maiden electoral battle in 2002 on the ticket of Muttahida Qaumi Movement from NA-249 Karachi-XI constituency. He was also appointed as the minister of state for Religious affairs and Zakat and Usher Division in September 2004 in Shaukat Aziz cabinet. But in 2007 because of severe violation of party rules Mr. Husain was forced to resign from his seat as a member of the national assembly and as Minister of State for Religious Affairs.
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He quitted politics in 2007. MQM also expelled him from the party in 2008. Although Mr. Hussain had joined MQM again yet he parted ways with the party after an anti-Pakistan speech made by the party head Altaf Hussain in 2016. In 2018 Dr. Hussain joined the PTI and termed his decision as ‘his final destination’. He was also given the party ticket to contest elections from NA-225 (Karachi). Dr. Hussain managed to win the elections mainly because of PTI’s stronghold in the city.
Interestingly, PTI followers who voted for Dr. Hussain expressed their ‘anger’ on social media and conveyed PM Khan that it was his decision that they had to vote for a person like Dr. Hussain.