Islamabad :
According to the report, the court heard a petition alleging harassment of journalists while the petitioner withdrew his petition but Justice Muneeb Akhtar remarked that the court would take suo motu notice and continue the hearing even if the court room was vacant. Even then, it includes the fundamental rights of journalists. The Supreme Court will issue notices to every state official to make them aware that the court is reviewing and will investigate each of them to ensure that freedom of expression and the press are respected. Why the constitutional duty to ensure is not being fulfilled?
According to the national daily Dawn, meanwhile, Justice Qazi Muhammad Amin Ahmed remarked that like judges, journalists should not be involved in politics and continue their profession with politeness and ethics.
Earlier, senior journalist Abdul Qayyum Siddiqui told the court that he wanted to withdraw his petition. I am here because last week’s events from August 20 to 26 were tragic in the judicial history of the country.
Meanwhile, senior journalist Amir Mir wrote in his petition that he knows that he will not get justice because the ‘hidden’ elements who have been using the FIA to intimidate the cyber crime wing are more powerful than the FIA. Who kidnapped and arrested him and have been harassing him for two years. It was informed that during the hearing, Justice Ejaz-ul-Haq remarked that it was unnecessary that the petitioners withdrew their petition as the court took notice of the situation after the matter was summoned by the Chief Justice. The court will welcome the statement and if they do not present their position, the court will ask the state officials to explain why the fundamental rights of citizens and journalists are being violated under the constitution, if the petitioners are not involved in the proceedings. If they want, it is their choice because it is a free country and they have the freedom to go to court or not.
According to sources, the apex court has issued notices to the director general of FIA, chairman of Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority and inspector general of Islamabad police to appear in person at the next hearing on September 15. It has also been directed to obtain a full report of proceedings in a similar case related to violation of fundamental rights in the Islamabad High Court and a copy of the petition pending before the High Court.
Similarly, the apex court asked Attorney General Khalid Javed Khan and Advocate General Islamabad to identify issues related to freedom of the press and asked PAS president Amjad Bhatti to provide a complete list with specific cases of harassment of journalists. The case will be heard again on September 15.
