ISLAMABAD – The Supreme Court on Monday rejected the response submitted by renowned television anchor Dr. Shahid Masood with regards to investigation team’s findings, which termed his startling revelations against Zainab’s killer as baseless.
A three-member bench, headed by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar, took up the suo motu notice of the anchorperson’s claim. The court observed that Masood will be proceeded against as per the law.
“We are sorry if our transmission hurt anyone’s sentiments,” the fresh reply submitted in court by counsel for Dr Masood.
Masood in a TV show on News One claimed that convict Imran Ali was part of an international mafia that was active in the business of rampant child pornography’. He also alleged that a Punjab minister was also among the accused, adding that Ali was operating 37 bank accounts in his name.
“Transactions of thousands of dollars, pounds and euros have taken place in all accounts that the suspect was operating,” he claimed.
During the hearing, the chief justice reiterated that time for apologising has passed. He then asked the additional attorney general for how long the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority can ban a channel for such kind of violation.
https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/pakistan/time-for-apology-has-passed-sc-tells-dr-shahid-masood-after-jit-finds-allegations-false/
Justice Ijazul Ahsan remarked that the TV anchor should have realised his responsibility.
The court has appointed noted lawyer Faisal Siddiqui as amicus curiae (friend of the court) to assist it in Masood’s case. The case has been adjourned until March 20, directing the attorney general to submit a reply in the case.
At last hearing, the chief justice rejected the verbal apology from renowned television anchor Dr. Shahid Masood after a joint investigation team termed his allegation against Zainab’s killer baseless.
https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/pakistan/dr-shahid-masood-failed-to-provide-details-of-foreign-accounts-regarding-zainab-murder-case-claims-fia/
When the TV anchorperson pleaded for an apology, the Chief Justice remarked that the time for it has passed after the JIT probing his 18 allegations revealed that all accusations are false and baseless.
Serving notice to TV channel, News One, the Chief Justice sought reply, adding that justice will be delivered in this case. The court adjourned the case until March 12.
Zainab Amin, a six-year-old, girl was brutally raped and killed by convicted Imran. The prime accused was arrested after his DNA matched the samples recovered from the crime scene.
Dr Shahid Masood also appeared before the Chief Justice of Pakistan at the Lahore Registry, however, he failed to support his claims, in presence of notable anchors.
