Pakistan court issues arrest warrant against TV anchor

A Pakistani court here today issued an arrest warrant against an anchor of a leading private television channel for failing to appear before it for allegedly maligning a rival TV network.
Mubashir Lucman of ARY news is facing cases for allegedly ridiculing the judiciary and maligning a rival television network.
Additional Session Judge Islamabad (West) Wajid Ali was angered at the non-appearance of the anchorperson and issued warrants.
The judge also remarked that the court had powers to force an accused to obey orders if they willfully avoid appearance during the hearing.
He was hearing the criminal case by the Independent Media Corporation (IMC) and Independent Newspapers Corporation (INC) against Lucman for defaming Jang/Geo group in his talk show 'Khara Sach'.

After the hearing and issuing warrant the court adjourned till September 6.

It is the second bailable arrest against the TV host after Islamabad High Court on July 2 issued similar orders against him.
The high court was hearing a case against Lucman for criticising the superior court judges.
Lucman avoided arrest after filing appeal in the Supreme Court against high court ruling which suspended the arrest orders.