Islamabad_Supreme Court (SC) Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa on Monday ruled that the Constitution of Pakistan ensured the freedom of speech and safety of journalists along with their right to exercise their right of criticism.
A three-member bench of the Supreme Court ordered that notices issued by the Federal Investigation Agency to journalists for criticism on the judiciary.
Led by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, the bench also included Justice Aminuddin Khan and Justice Musarrat Hilali. The proceedings were held after the court took up a petition against notices issued by FIA to dozens of journalists.
Office bearers from the Journalists Association of Supreme Court appeared in the hearing while Attorney General Mansoor Awan represented the government.
Journalists not being harassed during probe into anti-judiciary campaign,Solngi
Justice Isa remarked that the country is damged if a mockery is made of the judiciary. However, he added that journalists should not be harassed or intimidated just because they criticised something.
“Freedom of speech is not just associated to journalists; this right is also applicable to the judges too,” remarked Chief Justice Isa.
Chief Justice Isa criticised the prevailing lawlessness in various cases, specifically the attacks on polio workers, those opposing female education, targeting minorities and restraining their right to vote.
He asserted that these individuals were the real culprits and should be behind bars, emphasising the need for the registration of cases against them and the arrest of hate mongers and lawbreakers.
The chief justice adjourned the case until tomorrow and ordered that an inquiry report should be sumitted within two weeks regarding the assaults on Asad Toor, Matiullah Jan, Imran Shafqat and other journalists.
Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.