IHC hears case on journalist protection commission under new Act

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) presided over the request case for establishment of commission for protection of journalists under Journalist Protection Act.

The court approved miscellaneous applications for early hearing on the application for establishment of commission under Journalist Protection Act. The IHC has also directed for the main plea regarding the establishment of commission to be scheduled for hearing next week.

Justice Sardar Ijaz Ishaq Khan heard the plea of journalist Shakir Abbasi. Barrister Jahangir Khan Jadoon appeared in the court on behalf of the petitioner. The counsel argued that the Journalist Protection Act provides comprehensive protection to journalists.

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“The Act ensures that journalists can perform their duties without interference,” he said, adding that this law ensures protection of journalists from threats, violence and coercion.

He argued that the Journalist Protection Act talks about the establishment of an independent commission for the protection of journalists. However, more than two and a half years have passed since the President signed the Journalist Protection Act but till today, no such commission has been established by the government.

The petitioner pled that laws are made for implementation, not to get GSP status or just to show the world. The petition noted that the court should issue orders to the parties to establish a commission under the Journalist Protection Act. “The court should bind the parties to establish a commission within the stipulated time,” the petition added.

The secretaries of the Cabinet, the Ministry of Information and the Ministry of Human Rights have been made parties in the petition.

The IHC, while accepting the request for early hearing, directed to schedule the case next week.