Panic at Dunya?

So here's some news circulating on the journalists' mailing group regarding Dunya TV's former Director News Absar Alam's case against the Dunya TV management for the recovery of monies allegedly due to him and not yet paid by his former employers.

I haven't been able to verify this information, which seems to be taken from some unnamed news report, but it sounds too remarkable to be made up. Thought I would share it - pretty much as is - with these caveats...

SC lawyer terms judicial policy “bull shit”

Mian Amer, YBM’s lawyer terms judicial policy “bull shit”

Accuses the court of “unholy haste”, challenges to file contempt of court case against him

"LAHORE--April 02:--A Supreme Court lawyer lost his temper Friday in the civil court of Judge Khizer Hayat Minhas, shouted at him, used foul language against the judiciary, termed the National Judicial Policy, envisaged by Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, as “bull shit”, demanded the court to slow down the dispensation of justice process and dared the judge to file a contempt of court case against him for using harsh language.

An indecent replay of Faisalabad civil court incident was averted here on Friday morning when the Senior Civil Judge, Khizer Hayat Minhas, kept his grace and cool and let the lawyer, Mian Zafar Iqbal Klanori, out his frustration and anger at him. On the repeated insistence of the lawyer the judge then put everything on record, in writing, what the lawyer had shouted in the court.

The lawyer of the defendant exploded in the court in anger when he realized that an important witness from the UK has been produced by the plaintiff in the court which was unwilling to buy the delaying tactics of the defendant.

Because of the insults hurled at him by the Supreme Court lawyer, the Judge was left with no other option but to refer the case back to the District Judge, Zawar Ahmed, to transfer the case to another judge. The District Judge would decide to transfer the case on Saturday morning. Saad Rasool, the lawyer of the plaintiff, will appear before the District Judge.

The case has been filed by ex-Director News Dunya News TV, Absar Alam, against former Nazim Lahore and CEO of Dunya News, Mian Amer Mahmood and MD Dunya News, Yousaf Baig Mirza for the recovery of his lawful dues.

Mian Zafar Iqbal, the lawyer of Mian Amer Mahmood and Yousaf Beg Mirza, panicked when he found that an important witness, another ex-Director News of Dunya News, Aamir Ghauri, had arrived in the court from the UK to give his testimony in this case."

If true, does this mean that Dunya TV management is feeling the pinch? Do recall that Alam is asking for 77 lakhs in outstanding dues.


: : : UPDATE : : :

This recently in (also uncredited) on the journalists' forum:

Application against Dunya News lawyer sent to CJ

"After the unfortunate incident of terming the judicial policy as "bullshit" on Friday in the court of Civil Judge Khizer Hayat Minhas, by Dunya News lawyer, Mian Zafar Iqbal Kalanauri, the District and Session Judge Lahore, Zawar Ahmed, sent the case against Mian Amer and Yousaf Baig Mirza to Civil Judge Rafaqat Ali Qamar.

Monday, April 5th, has been set the next hearing date.

Earlier, the Session Judge called the lawyers of both sides in his chamber to discuss the complaint of Civil Judge Khizer Hayat who had sent the case to District Judge Zawar Ahmed after Dunya News lawyer realising that an important witness had arrived in the court from the UK, panicked, shouted at the judge and accused him of "unholy haste."

He also termed Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar ahmed's National Judicial Policy, aimed at ensuring speedy dispensation of justice to all, as "bullshit".

The case against Mian Amer, ex-nazim Lahore and CEO of Dunya News, and Yousaf Beg Mirza Managing Director Dunya News, has been filed by ex-Director News and senior journalist Absar Alam. 

Mian Amer and YBM, despite repeated reminders, had failed to clear Absar Alam's lawful dues for the last one year. Hence the ex-Director News sued Mian Amer and YBM for reneging on their legal, financial obligations and violation of the written contract.

Another ex-Director News, Aamir Ghauri, has traveled from the UK to stand in the witness box confirming the unprofessional handling of working journalists by Dunya News management.

In a strange coincidence, the plaintiff, Absar Alam, and his lawyer, Saad Rasool, have started receiving threatening emails and phone calls since the case proceedings started.

The plaintiff has asked the federal and provincial governments, Chief Justice Supreme Court of Pakistan, Chief Justice Lahore High Court, Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists, Rawalpindi/Islamabad Union of Journalists, National Press Club, all representative bodies of journalists to take note of these threats and harassment of a senior journalist and his lawyer.

The issue has been brought to the notice of Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry, and Chief Justice Lahore High Court Khawaja Sharif with an appeal to take it up in accordance with the law.

Federal and Punjab governments have also been asked to provide security to the plaintiff, his lawyer and the witnesses as the number of threatening emails is on the rise.

An FIR was lodged with the FIA about these threatening and defaming emails. The FIA is investigating this matter."

Now phone and email threats?! Who says the media is not a mafia!