Books can be written on what happens to journalists in Pakistan: CJP

Islamabad: During the hearing of the case related to the notices issued by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to the journalists in the Supreme Court, the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa remarked that what happened to the media and journalists in Pakistan, books can be written on it.

According to the details, a three-member bench headed by CJP Qazi Faez Isa heard the case.

As the hearing begins, Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) Mansoor Usman Awan and Barrister Salahuddin, counsel for the Press Association of the Supreme Court, came to the rostrum.

Chief Justice Qazi Faez remarked that let's look at the history of this case first, the two-member bench took notice in 2021. If this matter had been resolved at that time, you would not have to see this day today. At that time, the case moved from two-member bench to a five-member bench. It was said that only Chief Justice could take suo motu notice and that was more serious than receiving FIA notice.

Barrister Salahuddin said that both cases have their own seriousness.

On this, the Chief Justice remarked that both cannot be called equally serious, FIA notices can be challenged even if they are completely illegal.

Chief Justice Faez Isa while talking to Advocate Haider Waheed remarked: “You are talking about media regulation, we will not let anyone to use this court. Is it a case of Freedom of Press or is there another agenda”?

He inquired that the FIR against journalist Imran Shafqat took place during which government?

The Attorney General replied that at that time when Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan was Prime Minister, journalist Imran Shafqat did vlogs on YouTube about state institutions and officials.

The Chief Justice remarked: “We also know how FIR is lodged. People forget the history of who was the government at that time, people have a problem from present”.

He inquired whether there is any concrete case against Imran Shafqat. Was there any serious crime or was the FIR filed just to harass, on which 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. On which the Mansoor Awan replied that in his 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 about his petition.

Barrister Salahuddin replied that the Press Association is a petition of Supreme Court and High Court Association, he is also representing Matiullah Jan and Absar Alam.

He argued that FIA has the power to arrest after registering an inquiry, this power is used to suppress the voice of media and journalists.

The Chief Justice inquired whether we can prevent 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 stated that there is a section 20 of PECA which is frequently misused.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court adjourned the hearing of the case against the harassment of journalists till March 27.