We lost half of the country due to curbs on freedom of expression: CJ IHC

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Chief Justice (CJ) Islamabad High Court (IHC) Athar Minallah has remarked we lost half of the country due to curb on freedom of expression and development in a country where there is no freedom of expression stands ruled out.

CJP IHC gave these remarks while presiding over a single bench of IHC during the hearing of different petitions against PECA amendment ordinance here Thursday.

Attorney General (AG) Khalid Javed Khan Advocate general Niaz Ullah Niazi, director cyber crime Babar Qureshi and counsels for the petitioners appeared before the court.

CJ IHC observed this court will not leave FIA for protection of public officer holder. This court has presented international standards before you. If people have trust on us then threats from no one will work. Every person enjoys right for freedom of expression as per constitution Attorney General Sahb what petitions have been filed are correct. World is going to undo defamation law and here this law was included since 2010. What has been done has been done by parliament. This court has done nothing so. Did the ruling party MNA include FIA in row with the neighbor. On environmental matter FIA started harassing on the petition of member parliament. 14000 cases were pending with FIA some time back. FIA was told what it has to do it has to do cautiously. FIA has started proceedings against those who have raised voice against the government. One political worker remained in jail for saying some thing against public office holder. The things which were already controversial were made draconian. Tell us as to why section 20 of PECA act be not abolished. Public office holder should fear from what. Such a party whose power rests with social media it will set up a team and start a blame game then why it fears. Why the expenses should be incurred to save public office holder. If you enact better law then this court will support you.

He remarked defamation law has been abolished by the entire world. FIA will have resolved which case correctly out of 14000 complaints.

Attorney general said he knows all the facts about the ordinance. To my view these are not wrong but these can be misused. About first lady it was said she works through jins. She uses amulets.

Attorney General said on one occasion is it freedom of speech by issuing the picture of some one bed room.

Attorney general said if parliament passes this law then what will happen. Why should elected represented not see it.

The court remarked every thing runs on presidential ordinance since the last 35 years. Ordinance is a draconian nature ordinance.

The court remarked why FIA conducted raid on the home of Mohsin Baig.Why it checked computers.

AG said Mohsin Baig matter is running in trial court. The two journalists who were lifted from Lahore were lifted without any notice. Therefore, I am saying about safeguard so that no Amir Mir or Imran Shafqat is arrested.

The court remarked we did every thing in 70 years and brought the country on such point.Why we are fearing now.

AG said nothing is left in the hands of FIA now.

The court said Bilal Ghauri said one thing from the book and he was lifted by FIA. All these constitutional institutions are answerable to people.

Latif Khosa said they dub other thief and robbers but no action has been taken against any one.

Court remarked whoever has remained in government they have not accepted freedom of expression.

AG said journalists were killed in Sindh more than other place. Now a days you have reached the sources of the journalists.

The court directed AG to satisfy it about international laws.

AG said he will not defend FIA. The order of this court is there.

Counsel for PFUJ said a court from Kenya has also given decision in this regard.

The court dismissed the petitions filed by PPP and PML-N. If political parties discharge their obligations then no need is felt to come to courts.

The court while summoning AG for further assisting it adjourned the hearing of the case till March 10.