Lahore HC Dismisses Petition To Stop Screening Of 'Haider'

A Pakistani court has dismissed a petition challenging the exhibition of Vishal Bhardwaj's 'Haider' in Pakistani cinemas.

Lahore High Court Justice Shams Mahmood Mirza yesterday dismissed the petition filed by Iftikhar Ahmad.

"This is not the right forum. The petitioner should better approach the censor board," the judge observed. Ahmad pleaded that the exhibition of film 'Haider' was illegal.

He said it was against the ideology of Pakistan and the two-nation theory. It was also aimed at defaming the Pakistani army, he argued.

A law officer argued that the petitioner should better first contact the relevant body, the central censor board, before moving the court.

'Haider' starring Shahid Kapoor, Shraddha Kapoor, Tabu, Kay Kay Menon and Irrfan, is a modern-day adaptation of William Shakespeare's tragedy Hamlet, set amidst the insurgency-hit Kashmir conflicts of 1995 and civilian disappearances.

The film released in India on October 2.

PTI