Lahore: A judicial magistrate has summoned singer Misha Shafi and five others through bailable arrest warrants in a case registered under the Cyber Crime Act by actor-cum-singer Ali Zafar for allegedly running a malicious campaign against him on social media. .
Six people named in the case, including Shafi, had applied for one-time exemption from personal appearance in Thursday’s proceedings.
A written order issued by Judicial Magistrate Ghulam Murtaza Virk said: “The reason mentioned by accused Fariha Ayub in his application is justified, therefore, it is allowed.” He directed Ms. Ayub to appear in the next hearing.
However, he rejected the applications of others, holding that the reasons mentioned in their applications were not justified and summoned them on February 8 through bailable arrest warrants of Rs 50,000 each. Another absent suspect, Hamna Raza, was also summoned through a bailable arrest warrant. ,
The magistrate allowed an adjournment request on behalf of Zafar’s counsel, and adjourned further hearing for arguments on Ali Gul Peer’s acquittal application and an application by Shafi, seeking his presence and representation through a petitioner. was applied for. Shafi went to Canada on January 11 after appearing in three hearings.
Published in Dawn, January 15, 2022