A first information report has been lodged against CEO ARY News Salman Iqbal and other members of the channel. The channel members and top leadership are alleged to be in connection with the controversial remarks made by PTI member Shahbaz Gill during a programme on the channel.
Police have also arrested Head of ARY News Ammad Yousuf, Production team members Adeel Raja and Yousad, and Anchorperson Arshad Sharif and Khawar Ghuman. The case was filed against these members on August 08, 2022, in Memon Goth Station.
Station House Officer (SHO) Inspector Ateequr Rehman filed the case under the Pakistan Penal Code Sections:
121: waging war against Pakistan
506: criminal intimidation
505: statements conducive to public mischief
153: wantonly provoking with the intent to cause a riot
153-A: promoting enmity between different groups
131: abetting mutiny or attempting to seduce a soldier, sailor or airman from his duty
124-A: sedition
120: concealing the design to commit an offence punishable with imprisonment
34: common intention
109: abetment
According to the FIR, PTI leader Shehbaz Gill passed hateful comments against the Pakistan Army in which Arshad Sharif and Khawar Ghuman were present as anchors. On Tuesday night, Karachi police arrested Ammad Yousuf.
A channel claimed that the police arrested ARY’s head without any warrant. The report added that the CCTV footage showed the police team jumping into his house.
The arrest of Ammad has been condemned by the Karachi Union of Journalists (KUJ). Shahid Iqbal, President KUJ, requested Chief Justice Pakistan to take suo moto action against the arrest. General Secretary KUJ, Fahim Siddiqui, said that a new wave of attacks has been launched against journalism during the recent political turmoil. He added that journalists should not be pushed towards protest.
