LAHORE: The Punjab government has formally set up three defamation tribunals in Lahore, Multan, and Rawalpindi under the Punjab Defamation Act 2024, according to an official notification issued on September 22, 2025.
The move aims to ensure quick and effective handling of defamation cases across the province.
According to the notification, retired District and Sessions Judge Anjum Raza Syed has been appointed as a member of the Lahore tribunal, while retired Sessions Judges Ibrahim Asghar and Ghaffar Mehtab will serve at the Multan tribunal. The Rawalpindi tribunal will be run by relevant judicial officers.
The Punjab Law and Parliamentary Affairs Department has sent copies of the notification to the high court, Advocate General Punjab, police officials, Chief Secretary Punjab, commissioners, and deputy commissioners to ensure smooth coordination and execution.
The Punjab Defamation Act 2024 was passed in May 2024 after a heated debate in the provincial assembly. On June 8, 2024, acting Punjab Governor Malik Ahmad Khan, who is also the Speaker of the assembly, approved the law despite strong protests from journalists and rights groups.
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Media bodies raised concerns that the law could limit press freedom and be used to silence critical reporting, especially since it defines “defamation” and “broadcasting” broadly, even covering social media platforms.
On June 10, 2024, several journalists and press organizations challenged the law in the Lahore High Court, calling it draconian and warning that it could be used for political revenge or to target dissenting voices.
The court later suspended some provisions of the law that were considered too broad and directed the provincial government to review its implementation to protect constitutional rights of free speech and press freedom.
Legal experts have mixed views on the new tribunals. Some believe they will speed up defamation cases, which usually face long delays in regular courts. Others warn that the law could be misused against journalists and media outlets critical of the government.
The tribunals are expected to start functioning soon after the administrative arrangements are completed.
