expat_loyal
Councller (250+ posts)
ISLAMABAD: Justice Aamir Farooq of Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday dismissed a petition filed against the release of the Indian movie Bajrangi Bhaijaan in Pakistani cinemas.
Justice Farooq declared that the petition was not maintainable as the petitioner, Alliance for Welfare Society for Development Advocacy (AWSDA), had no locus standi (right to speak) in the matter.
The court observed that the petitioner also did not attach relevant documents along with the petition.
The petitioner, through its counsel Barrister Masroor Shah, contended before the court that the movie contains highly objectionable content against Pakistan. The petition cited the Central Board for Film Censors and Federation of Pakistan as respondents.
The petition contended that the movie is filled with venom against Pakistan.
It is maintained that the plot of the movie revolves around an Indian man, Pavan Kumar Chaturvedi (aka Bajrangi Bhaijan) who enters Pakistan without valid travel document.
The petitioner told the court that the character in the film hoodwinks our ‘ever vigilant armed forces valiantly guarding our borders’, ridicules our police by beating them in their uniforms and wins the title of ‘Rustam-e-Pakistan’, after defeating all Pakistani wrestlers.
Earlier, Pakistan’s central censor board cleared Bajrangi Bhaijaan but with several cuts.
Published in Dawn ,July 16th, 2015
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