IHC gives deadline for comments in Peca case

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday has given a deadline to the respondents for comments against the petitions challenging amendments to the Peca Act.

The court served notices on the Ministry of Law and Justice to file their responses.

Justice Inaam Ameen Minhas heard the petitions of Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), anchors association and Islamabad High Court Journalists Association (IHCJA) together.

Advocate Imran Shafiq and other lawyers appeared in the court on behalf of the petitioners.

Justice Inaam remarked that even if the response is not filed, the hearing will still be continued. “I think this case will take a long time. It will be scheduled after Eid.”

Advocate Imran Shafiq said that the federal government has filed its response only through the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Information. “The Ministry of Law and Justice, Parliamentary Affairs and PTA have not submitted any response.”

The federal government has raised a question on the jurisdiction of this court.

The lawyer argued that the federation has stated that after the 26th Constitutional Amendment, only the Constitutional Bench of the High Court can hear this case.

Until the Constitutional Bench of the High Court is formed, only this court can hear the case.

The second objection was raised while giving a reference of a Quranic verse that before spreading the words, do research.

The lawyer said that FIRs are being registered against people, adding that the court should hear this case soon.

The court asked whether there is no news going on? “Is someone preventing news from being given or published,” it questioned.

Advocate Riasat Ali Azad prayed the court issue a stay order that there will be no FIR or arrest against the journalist for reporting the news.

“The parties are not submitting a response and are taking time from the court,” he said.

Journalist Mazhar Abbas said that an atmosphere of harassment has been created in the media industry, adding that journalists are being summoned and harassed by the FIA.

Justice Inaam asked the lawyer if he was not able to report any news at all? The lawyer said that the parties should be directed to file their replies and provide a copy of the replies to the petitioners in advance before the next hearing.

The court adjourned the hearing till the second week of July, giving the parties a deadline to submit their replies.