July 5, 2024
2 mins read

Journalists move Lahore HC against Punjab Defamation Act

Journalists and rights bodies, including those based internationally have expressed their opposition to the law…reports Asian Lite News

The senior journalists on Wednesday approached the Lahore High Court (LHC) against the Punjab Defamation Act, 2024, after the provincial assembly passed the law amid the strong protest from the opposition members and media fraternity in May this year, Pakistan-based Geo News reported.

The petitioners requested the court to declare the Punjab Defamation Act, 2024, “void ab initio” and of no legal effect. The decision of journalists comes after the Punjab Assembly on May 20 passed the Punjab Defamation Bill, 2024 amid a strong and noisy protest by the opposition on the floor of the assembly.

Meanwhile, journalists and rights bodies, including those based internationally have expressed their opposition to the law, according to Geo News report. Two senior journalists through their lawyer Asad Jamal have filed a petition in the court. Justice Muhammad Amjad Rafiq will hear the petition today.

The petition filed by journalists reads, “The controversial Punjab Act is repugnant to the Defamation Ordinance 2002 which has been provided protection under Article 270AA under the 18th Amendment to the constitution.”

“The Punjab province does not have the legislative competence to enact a law to regulate any aspect of broadcasting through various electronic and digital media including those based on technologies like telegraphs and telephones as well as wireless media and broadcasting and similar other modes of communication,” it further said, according to Geo News report.

The petitioners have challenged the Act passed by the Punjab Assembly mainly on the ground that the core subject matter of the Punjab Defamation Act 2024 is communication or speech through electronic and digital media is beyond the legislative competence of provinces as it falls foul of Article 70 of the Constitution read with item 7 of the Federal Legislative List.

In their petition, the journalists stated that the Act stood in violation of fundamental rights guaranteed in Articles 10A, 18, 19, 19A and 25 of the Constitution, Geo News reported.

The petitioners further said that the Defamation Act aims to stifle free speech and dissent as it has already had a chilling impact on the freedom of speech of journalists due to the punitive and harsh nature of the provisions of the law implemented in the name of preserving privacy and protecting members of society from the unjustified harm caused to the reputation of people. (ANI)

ALSO READ: Pakistan bomb blast kills 4, including former senator

Previous Story

Pakistan: Protests over Christian man’s death sentence in blasphemy case

Next Story

India, UK agree to deepen cooperation between cyber agencies

Latest from -Top News

Bangladesh’s Dark Side Unveiled in Geneva

Organised by diaspora activists, the exhibit exposed rising rights abuses in Bangladesh post-Hasina…reports Asian Lite News In a bid to spotlight the deteriorating human rights situation and rising persecution of minorities in

India Outpaces Peers in Morgan Stanley Outlook

Global investment firm reaffirms India’s status as top-performing economy in latest growth outlook…reports Asian Lite News India is set to retain its position as the fastest-growing economy among nations tracked by Morgan

Debt deals, austerity still rule Colombo

IMF approves $350 million t ranche as island nation sees early signs of recovery, but challenges persist amid ongoing reforms and rising public discontent….reports Asian Lite News The International Monetary Fund (IMF)

Pakistan misses export target

Pakistan misses export target for 2024-25 despite modest growth, with rising imports widening the trade deficit and prompting urgent cost-cutting measures across key sectors….reports Asian Lite News Pakistan has fallen short of
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Pakistan: Punjab Province Gripped by Farmer Protests, Political Turmoil

The farmers insist that they sowed wheat crops to complete

Ahmadiyyas face increased persecution in Pakistan

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) had expressed outrage