LAHORE: Lahore High Court (LHC) Justice Shams Mehmood Mirza again accepted the request of the federal government and other respondents and gave them time till May 23 for filing reply to petitions challenging the ban on exhibition of Pakistani film ‘Maalik’. The judge had already sought replies from the federal and Punjab governments, film censor board and others. During the proceedings on Thursday, the counsel for federal and Punjab governments again sought time for filing replies. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and Opposition Leader in Punjab Assembly Mian Mehmoodur Rasheed and an advocate Munir Ahmad moved these petitions. Rashid’s counsel Sheraz Zaka said that the Ministry of Information, Broadcasting and Heritage, through a notification on April 27, had imposed ban on the exhibition of this film. He submitted that earlier, the censor board had given approval for exhibition of this film. Zaka said that after 18th amendment, the government had no authority to impose ban on any film and the matter pertaining to motion pictures was devolved to provinces. He pleaded that the film was on the topic of corruption, which was hot in the prevailing circumstances, especially after the issue of Panama leaks. He submitted that film neither was against the sovereignty of the state nor was it against the social values, but even then the government had banned the exhibition of film in cinemas across the country. He said that it was high time that people should be informed about the evils of corruption. “The media of film was always used to create awareness against evils. The film was based on social norms and values of our society and against the menace of corruption. A movie or drama made for social development couldn’t be banned,” he added. Petitioner Munir Ahmad counsel Muhammad Azhad Siddique submitted that after the issue of Panama leaks, the said feature film would have helped understand the method, process and mechanism under which the ruling elite misuse their powers and plays with the national interests of Pakistan. Resultantly, this movie was not acceptable due to its theme, so, the federal government, in connivance with the ministry, issued the impugned notification, he added. He stated that the impugned notification proves that the ministry had not only exceeded its powers while issuing the notification but has also tried to assault the real essence of 18th amendment only to cure the corrupt political elite of the government. The movie was aired and played in the cinemas of Pakistan for at-least 15 days and without assigning any reasons, the film was declared uncertified, he added. He said no opportunity of hearing was granted to the producers and directors, which is sheer violation of Articles 10-A of the Constitution of Pakistan. He said that the people of Pakistan have fundamental rights to view the movie in view of the Article 19 and any action in violation of this article is void in term of Article 8 of the constitution.