ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa of the Supreme Court (SC) declared on Monday that the Constitution of Pakistan guarantees freedom of speech and the safety of journalists, allowing them to exercise their right to criticism.
The ruling was issued by a three-member bench led by the chief justice, including Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar and Justice Mussarat Hilali, during the case proceedings.
Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan, President of the Press Association Supreme Court Aqeel Afzal, and the accused journalists all appeared before the court.
The chief justice emphasized, “The judicial system strongly advocates press freedom and journalists’ right to express their freedom of speech. We must not repeat past mistakes and should speak the truth, criticize, and hold lawbreakers accountable, as criticism leads to improvement.”
As a result, the apex court directed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to dismiss the notices and terminate the inquiry against the journalists for mere criticism offenses. However, Chief Justice Isa instructed the attorney general to arrest the journalists if they were involved in violence, incitement to chaos, assault, or the use of foul language.
“Freedom of speech is not only associated with journalists; this right also applies to judges,” Chief Justice Isa remarked.
(Islamabad51_Newsdesk)
