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SC bans Dr Shahid Masood for 90 days

By Our Correspondent
March 21, 2018

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday barred anchorperson Dr Shahid Masood from hosting his programme for three months and asked him to submit a written apology before it.

A three-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice (CJ) Mian Saqib Nisar, resumed hearing in the case pertaining to allegations made by Masood regarding the rapist and murderer of a seven-year-old girl in Kasur.

During the course of proceedings, Shah Khawar, counsel for Dr Shahid Masood, submitted that his client was ready to tender an unconditional apology before the court. The counsel submitted that being an officer of the court, he believed that utmost respect of court was mandatory for them.

“Speaking for myself, we should respect the court and maintain its dignity,” Shah Khawar added. The chief justice, however, recalled that Dr Shahid Masood had given a statement saying he was ready to be ‘hanged’ if his allegations were proven wrong.

“We will not give you capital punishment and may Allah keep you alive for your children, but you should suggest punishment for yourself. “I am tendering an apology from the core of my heart and put myself on the court’s mercy”, Masood told the court. “I have heard this many times and this is not that the court or maybe I myself changed”, the CJP remarked saying this is the majesty of constitution and law.

When Masood submitted that he was ready to be taken off-air for two months, Justice Nisar suggested six months. Later, Dr Shahid Masood appeared in the court again and submitted unconditional apology on behalf of Dr Shahid Masood.

“I hereby express remorse and repentance over whatever I stated in the said programme and tender unconditional, unqualified and sincere apology from this court,” Dr Shahid Masood said in his apology. Meanwhile, Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar appreciated Shah Khawar for his stand for the judiciary.  

“We were looking for an occasion where we could give you compliments on standing by the institution, and we highly appreciate the way you standby this institution”, Chief Justice told Shah Khawar.