The Islamabad High Court banned media coverage completely in the Murad Akbar abduction case including the telecast of the judge’s photos and remarks during proceedings.

In a hearing on Monday, Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kiyani said the only reporting allowed would be based on the written order of the court. The judge also said that violation of these instructions would be considered contempt of court and instructions could be sent to PEMRA for cancellation of licenses of TV channels in case they did not comply.

The case involves the abduction of Murad Akbar, brother of Shahzad Akbar who worked as the former accountability aide to Imran Khan.

Murad was taken from his house by armed personnel in Rangers and CTD uniforms from his house. However, police have denied any knowledge of his whereabouts.

On Monday’s hearing the Interior Secretary Syed Ali Hassan, IG Islamabad Nasir Akbar and Additional Attorney General Munawwar Iqbal appeared in court to submit their replies.