LAHORE – The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday issued notice to the federal government and Censor Board over the petitions against ban imposed on Pakistani film ‘Maalik’. The court has also summoned a written reply from them by May 17. A hearing on the petitions was conducted by Justice Shams Mehmood Mirza. The pleas have been filed separately by Leader of Opposition in Punjab Assembly Mian Mehmoodur Rasheed and a local Muneer Ahmed. During the hearing, petitioners’ attorney Azhar Siddique and Sheraz Zaka raised a legal point that the federal government has no lawful authority to ban a film after the approval of 18th amendment. The lawyers have told the court that the movie does not spread any kind of ‘anarchy’. The petitioners said that the prevailing political situation has been reflected in the film and the censor board had issued a certificate earlier. They contended that the ban has been imposed with malafide intention and without any legal justification. They said that the film was not against Islam and national integrity and instead it highlighted corruption and it has a lesson for all. The petitioner prayed the court to nullify the ban and order screening of the film.