During the hearing of the case related to the notices issued by the FIA to the journalists in the Supreme Court, Chief Justice Qazi Faiz Isa remarked that books can be written on what happened to the media and journalists in Pakistan. We will not allow anyone to use the court.
A 3-member bench headed by Chief Justice Qazi Faiz Isa, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar and Justice Musrat Hilali heard the case.
At the start of the hearing, Attorney General Mansoor Usman and Barrister Salahuddin, advocate of the Press Association of the Supreme Court, came to the rostrum. If this matter would have been resolved at that time, you would not have to see these days. At that time, the matter went before a 2-member to 5-member bench. Notice was more serious.
Barrister Salahuddin said that both cases have their own seriousness, on which the Chief Justice remarked that both cannot be called equally serious, FIA notices can be challenged even if they are completely illegal. But it is not stopped after appearing in court.
Chief Justice Faiz Isa while talking to Advocate Haider Waheed remarked that you are talking about media regulation, we will not allow the court to be used, we will not allow anyone to use this court, do you? Is it a case of Freedom of Press or is there another agenda?
He inquired that the FIR against Imran Shafqat took place under which government? The Attorney General replied that at that time the founder Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) was Imran Khan’s government, Imran Shafqat had made vlogs about state institutions and officials.
The Chief Justice remarked that we also know how an FIR is done, people forget the history of who was in power at that time, people have a problem from today.
He inquired whether there is any concrete case against Imran Shafqat. There was a serious crime or the FIR was filed just to harass.
In response, the Attorney General said that Imran Shafqat did not commit any serious crime, I think there is nothing like that in this case.
The Chief Justice inquired from the Attorney General that he was asking the state whether there was a criminal offense against journalists. In response, the Attorney General said that in my opinion no criminal offense was committed.
Meanwhile, FIA assured to withdraw the cases against journalists Imran Shafqat and Amir Mir.
The Chief Justice inquired that Barrister Salahuddin! What is your request?
Barrister Salahuddin replied that the Press Association is a petition of Supreme Court and High Court Association, I am also representing Matiullah Jan and Absar Alam.
He argued that the FIA has the power to arrest after registering an inquiry, which is being used to suppress the voice of media and journalists.
The Chief Justice inquired whether we can prevent an FIR from being registered. FIR may be wrong but it will be looked at case to case, books can be written on what happened to media and journalists in Pakistan.
Barrister Salahuddin said that there is a section 20 of PICA which is frequently misused.
Meanwhile, the court adjourned the hearing of the case against the harassment of journalists till March 27.
It should be noted that the FIA issued notices to 47 journalists and YouTubers for spreading false information and negative propaganda against the Chief Justice of Pakistan and state institutions.
In a statement released by the FIA, it was said that 115 inquiries have been registered and 65 notices have been issued against those involved in spreading false propaganda and false information against the Chief Justice and state institutions on social media. These notices will be heard on January 30 and 30.
Out of the 65 people who have been issued notices, 47 are journalists and YouTubers, including some prominent journalists.
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2024-05-09 20:45:52