The Case of Geo TV
Case Law- Country
- Country Location
خط العرض: 30.50420402694667
خط الطول: 71.31445294618544
- Country Location (مرتبط Case Law)
- Pakistan
- Decision Date
- 25 نوفمبر 2014
- Case Status
- في مرحلة الاستئناف
- Case Outcome Procedural
- Motion Granted
- Remanded for Decision in Accordance with Ruling
- Case Outcome (Disposition)
- عقوبات جنائية
- Keywords
- Audiovisual Law
- Blasphemy
- Freedom of Expression
- Penal Code
- Press and Media
- Religion
- Terrorism
- Judicial Body
- محكمة متخصصة
- Court Name
- Anti-Terrorism Court, Gilgit Baltistan
- Case Summary
The Anti-Terrorism Court sentenced the owner of the media group Geo TV, two actors and a TV host to 26 years imprisonment for their role in airing a TV programme with what was deemed as blasphemous and offensive content. The programme included a scene in which the two actors re-enacted their wedding, with a Qawwali song which concerned the marriage of the daughter of the Prophet, playing in the background. The Court also imposed a fine of 1.3 million rupees each for hurting the religious sentiments of the people through the show. The accused were convicted in abstentia under Sections 295-A and 295-C of the Pakistan Penal Code (relating to blasphemy), as well as terrorism offences under the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997. However, the sentence was ultimately suspended by the Supreme Court and was never enforced. There are also questions as to the jurisdiction of the Gilgit-Baltistan court over Pakistani citizens, since it is unclear whether Gilgit Baltistan is constitutionally a part of Pakistan.
- Case Significance
The significance of this case is undetermined at this point in time.
- Related Law
- Source Name and URL
- Columbia Global Freedom of Expression Database
- Notes
A copy of the judgment issued in this case is not available since the judgments of the Anti-Terrorism Court are not published. The official name of the case is also not available. Apart from the Anti-Terrorism Act, this case also referred to blasphemy provisions in the Pakistan Penal Code (sections 295-A and 295-C). The sentence issued by the Anti-Terrorism Court was suspended by the Pakistan Supreme Court in December 2014.
- Collection
- CIPIT
- Date Updated
- 16 مايو 2024