IHC fixes hearing of plea seeking formation of commission for journalists next week
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The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday accepted a miscellaneous application, seeking an early hearing of the petition filed for the constitution of a commission for the protection of journalists under the Journalist Protection Act, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
The court will now hear the petition next week.
Justice Sardar Ijaz Ishaq Khan heard the petition filed by journalist Shakir Abbasi, in which he had made the cabinet secretary, the Ministry of Information and the Ministry of Human Rights respondents.
Barrister Jahangir Khan Jadoon, who appeared in the court on behalf of the petitioner, said that the Act provided comprehensive security to journalists since it ensured the working of journalists without any interference. “It protects them from threat and coercion.”
“Similarly, there is a mention in the Act of an independent commission for the protection of journalists,” Barrister Jadoon said, and added that despite the fact that the president had inked the Act over two and a half years ago, the government had still to form a commission.
The lawyer said that laws were enacted for compliance and not to show them off to the world or for getting GSP plus status.
He prayed to the court to bind the respondents to form the commission within a stipulated time period.
Reporter: Ihtesham Kiani