News Analysis |
The Supreme Court of Pakistan has rejected the ‘unconditional apology’ submitted by famous TV anchor and leader of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Dr. Aamir Liaquat Hussain. The court has also announced that Dr. Hussain will be indicted in a contempt of court case, initiated against him for violating earlier undertakings to not use hate speech or derogatory language against individuals (including media persons).
The CJP was extremely unhappy when presented with video clips in the courtroom. Dr. Hussain was seen inciting violence and using offensive language against 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.
Aamir Liaquat Hussain, 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 questioned whether a lawmaker can remain a member of National Assembly after being charged with a contempt case. “They cannot [remain an MNA],” replied Shahab Sarki, the counsel for Hussain. According to details, the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has issued 13 orders and also banned Mr. Hussain several times, but he never stopped repeating abusive language against his rivals.
It is also important to mention here that Dr. Hussain was recently seen to verbally attack PM Imran Khan for ignoring Karachi. But PTI leadership believes that this stemmed out of Dr. Hussain’s discontent since he has not been given any ministry. Later on, Mr. Hussain neither left the party nor made any effort to form a forward bloc within the PTI.
Read more: Amir Liaqat Hussain rebels just after 12-days in the government
Background of the Case
The SC issued contempt of court notice to the leader of PTI leader allegedly for his abusive language. Dr. Hussain has “accused Geo TV anchor Shahzeb Khanzada of supporting blasphemy convicts,” the court was told on August 10th. The CJP noted that such people [like Dr. Hussain] should not be in the parliament. “He also levelled grave allegations against Najam Sethi,” the counsel added. “No one has the right to call anyone an infidel or a traitor.”
Dr. Hussain joined the PTI on March 19, 2018. He was, however, a critic of the PTI and its chairman in the past. Not only did he criticize the policies of the party, but also the personal life of Imran Khan. Dr. Hussain has also previously been barred by the Islamabad High Court (IHC) in December 2017. Later on, the ban was lifted and the anchorperson was allowed to appear on TV screens.
In 2018, Dr. Hussain joined PTI and termed the move as ‘his final destination’. He was also given a 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.
As a matter of fact, Dr. Hussain has an old habit of blaming his opponents for extralegal activities whenever he does not feel comfortable with the organization. For example, he worked with GEO TV for a substantial amount of time but accused Geo’s owner of being an Indian agent and working against Pakistan, by the end of his time there. Later on, he himself did not stand up with the allegations he had leveled. Recently, he left Bol TV and in the same fashion accused the channel of carrying out objectionable practices and activities, and unsurprisingly, joined the channel again later on.
Aamir Liaquat Hussain’s Political Career
Aamir Liaquat Hussain, 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 Ushr Division, in September 2004, in the Shaukat Aziz cabinet.
But in 2007, because of severe violations of party rules, Mr. Hussain was forced to resign from his seat as a member of the national assembly and as Minister of State for Religious Affairs. He then took a break from politics in 2007. MQM also expelled him from the party in 2008. Although Mr. Hussain had rejoined MQM later on, he parted ways with the party after the anti-Pakistan speech made by the party head, Altaf Hussain, in 2016.
Read more: Supreme Court grills PTI MNA-elect Dr. Amir Liaquat
In 2018, Dr. Hussain joined PTI and termed the move as ‘his final destination’. He was also given a 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 their resentment to PM Khan, for making the public invest their vote in a person like Dr. Hussain.