Punjab issues gazette notification of defamation law

Lahore: The Punjab government Monday issued the gazette notification of the Defamation Bill 2024.

According to the details, the defamation bill will be implemented immediately in Punjab after the gazette notification.

It is pertinent to note that on June 8 Acting Governor Punjab Malik Ahmad Khan approved the defamation bill.

On May 24, Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider had indicated the possibility of sending the Punjab Defamation Bill, 2024 back to the Assembly for further consultation and revision.

On May 20, the Defamation Bill 2024 presented by the provincial government was passed in the Punjab Assembly despite the reservations and protests of the opposition and journalistic organisations.

Highlights of the Bill

Under the Defamation Bill 2024 passed in the Provincial Assembly, apart from TV channels and newspapers, breaking false news or character assassination against someone on social media platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, X, YouTube and Instagram will also be fined Rs3 million.

The tribunals will be set up to hear the cases and will be bound by a decision within 180 days.

The High Court benches will hear the cases of persons appointed to constitutional positions.