An Islamabad district and sessions court on Monday adjourned proceedings in the defamation case that designer Maria B filed against comedian Shehzad Ghias Sheikh.
Additional Sessions Judge Sheikh Muhammad Sohail presided over the hearing. Representing Maria B, Barrister Abdul Ahad Khokhar urged the court to restrain Shehzad from posting further tweets and videos, calling his content “harmful propaganda” while the matter remains under judicial consideration. “It is necessary to restrict him from social media commentary until the case is resolved,” Khokhar said.
On Shehzad’s behalf, defence counsel Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha informed the court that they would submit the power of attorney at the next hearing. The judge directed both parties to submit their written responses and scheduled arguments on the stay application for the next hearing on July 14.
Shortly after the session, Shehzad tweeted a zipped-mouth emoji (?), hinting at the court proceedings. He had earlier posted a YouTube video stating he received a court summons but had not been formally informed of the charges. He suspected the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) might have registered a First Information Report (FIR) against him, turning Maria B’s original civil defamation notice into a criminal complaint.
