Supreme Court of Pakistan has imposed a three-month ban on Dr. Shahid Masood’s TV show.
The court’s decision comes after Shahid Masood’s allegations in the Zainab Murder case. Dr. Shahid alleged that there was a bigger group involved in abduction and rape of children and Zainab’s killer was part of it.
Shahid Masood further claimed that the group had international links and several influential people were also involved in such cases.
The Court took a suo moto notice of the allegations from the anchorperson. A Joint Investigation Team (JIT) was formed to investigate Dr. Shahid’s 18 claims. After the investigation, JIT concluded all allegations to be baseless and found no proof of any connections between Zainab’s killer and other groups.
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All of the allegations made by Shahid Masood were then debunked by the court. After the report, Dr. Shahid submitted a written unconditional apology to the court. However, the court decided to reprimand the anchorperson according to the law.
The court referred to Dr. Shahid’s claim that he should be hanged if the allegations are false saying;
We will not give you capital punishment like you asked but we will ask you what should be the punishment for you.
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The 3-member bench headed by Chief Justice Saqib Nisar expressed anger over Dr. Shahid’s remarks as well. Dr. Shahid previously ridiculed Additional Advocate General Punjab in his TV show. The judges watched the footage in the courtroom and later resumed the hearing announcing the ban. Chief Justice remarked;
It is possible we initiate contempt proceedings against him. How dare he say this about my law officer.
He further added while addressing Dr. Shahid;
I don’t know what you think of the courts in Pakistan. Let it be clear that either the courts have evolved or maybe I have changed. This is the majesty of constitution and law.
The culprit in the murder and rape case of a 7-year-old girl was handed four death sentences by a trial court.