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A sessions court on Monday issued notices to police on an application seeking registration of a case against the director, producer and other crew members of Indian movie Dhurandhar for defaming the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).

The applicant maintained that the PPP was portrayed as sympathetic to terrorists in the movie, and Lyari was labelled as a “terrorist war zone”.

An additional district and sessions judge (South) directed the SP-Complaint Cell and Darakhshan SHO to file a detailed report on Tuesday (today).

Citing the director, producer, actors and other crew members of Dhurandhar as proposed accused and relevant police officials as respondents, PPP activist Mohammad Amir filed an application under Section 22-A & B of the criminal procedure code before the sessions court.

He stated that he had viewed the official trailer and promotional material of the film on social media platforms. He said that the images of Ms Bhutto, along with PPP’s flag and rally visuals, were used in the movie without any legal permission.

He further submitted that Karachi, particularly Lyari, was labelled as a “terrorist war zone” in the film, which was provocative, misleading and harmful misrepresentation, damaging the reputation of the country and its people.

The applicant maintained that the proposed accused persons were responsible for the creation, production and distribution of such defamatory and provocative content and the same attracted offences of defamation, criminal intimidation, provocation with an intent to cause rioting and promoting enmity between different groups, etc.

He said that a written complaint was filed with the Darakhshan SHO for registration of an FIR, but the police have failed to entertain it.

The applicant sought directive for the SHO concerned to register the case, asking for an investigation into the matter.

Originally published in Dawn, December 16th, 2025.