LAHORE – Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar has assured renowned journalist Mujeeb-ur-Rehman Shami that he will be provided justice against slanderous allegations of getting land owned by Lahore Development Authority on lease at throwaway prices.
Shami, the Chief Editor of Roznama Pakistan, on Thursday appeared before a three-member bench headed by the chief justice in the Supreme Court’s Lahore Registry following a petition filed by a woman lawyer, accusing him of running six petrol pumps on the LDA land against a meager lease amount, Rs15,000.
The famous journalist maintained that all accusations leveled against him are false and slanderous. He denied owning a single petrol pump.
He informed the hourable court that his sons has dealership of Shell Oil Company at a filling station, adding that the land was acquired by Shell on the lease.
To which, the chief justice remarked that this is a legal matter, adding, “We want to preserve your dignity”.
“Whether you do respect of someone or not,” CJP Nisar said in a lighter mood. In reply, the renowned journalist said, “I speak every word with great care and own its responsibility”. “Never speak to disrespect someone”.
Shami said that he was informed about the plea against him by a UK-based friend. He pleaded the court to serve justice in the case, besides urging it to cancel the Wakalatnamma of the lawyer for filing the false application.
The applicant told the court that her petition is based on a report broadcast by local media. To which, Shami said that a private news channel had broadcast the report about the petrol pumps, adding, “I contacted the media outlet which later invited me where I denied it”. I was defamed by raising the false allegation against me,” he said.
The chief justice, later, asked the chief editor of leading Urdu newspaper to formally file a plea against it, adding that you will be served justice.