ISLAMABAD: The Additional District and Sessions Judge, Islamabad (West), on Thursday issued arrest warrants for the owner of ARY Network Salman Iqbal, anchorperson Mubasher Lucman, Akeel Karim Dhedhi and Naeem Hanif in a criminal case pertaining to defaming Geo/Jang Group.

A two-judge bench comprising Justice Jawwad S Khawaja and Justice Ejaz Afzal was hearing a civil miscellaneous application filed on display of posters and banners in Islamabad against the judiciary.

During the hearing, Justice Jawwad S Khawaja remarked that there are so many check points in Islamabad that not even a bird can enter. Deputy Attorney General Khawaja Ahmed Hussain apprised the bench that the painter of those banners has been arrested, however, the man who ordered the banners named Muhammad Rasheed has not been apprehended yet.

Justice Ejaz Afzal questioned the deputy AG if only two persons were responsible of the act. Responding to this, the deputy AG said that they were investigating the matter but remained unsuccessful in catching the responsible persons. On this, Justice Ejaz Afzal termed it a strange action and said that if the deputy AG is unaware of the culprits he should contact the interior secretary and inspector general of police.

Attorney General Salman Aslam Butt had earlier informed the bench that the mastermind of the act had been arrested while three persons allegedly involved in displaying posters and banners in the federal capital against the judiciary had also been caught.

He had told that further investigation from the mastermind was underway.

The court, then, ordered the authorities to arrest every single person involved in this crime and sought progress report, and adjourned the hearing till Wednesday.