Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa, on Monday, intervened to prevent the government from taking legal action against journalists for criticizing the Supreme Court. The move came during a suo motu case addressing the harassment of journalists, where CJP Isa emphasized that the Supreme Court cannot hinder journalists or the public from highlighting faults in court proceedings. In response, he directed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to immediately withdraw notices issued to journalists for criticizing judges on social media.
Furthermore, CJP Isa instructed the FIA director-general to hold a meeting with the journalists, leading to the adjournment of the harassment case until the following day. Simultaneously, the court mandated the federal government to submit a report on journalist torture within two weeks. Regarding the request to suspend FIA notices, CJP Isa indicated that the Supreme Court would address it during the case’s resumption on January 30.
The three-member bench, headed by CJP Isa, also included Justice Muhammed Ali Mazhar and Justice Mussarat Hilali. Attorney General for Pakistan Mansoor Usman Awan and officials from the Press Association of the Supreme Court were present during the hearing. CJP Isa expressed his strong stance against restricting criticism, highlighting the constitutional protection of press freedom.
suo motu notice against the FIA’s actions
Earlier on January 27, CJP Isa initiated a suo motu notice against the FIA’s actions towards 47 journalists and YouTubers accused of running a smear campaign against Supreme Court judges. The FIA reported 115 inquiries and 65 notices issued for spreading derogatory and false information on social media.
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The hearing also touched upon broader societal issues, including hate speeches, attacks on polio workers, and extremist thinking. CJP Isa questioned the government’s response to such issues and urged action against those preventing women from voting and promoting polio inoculation.
The court adjourned the hearing till the next day, emphasizing the need for upholding basic rights, regardless of case outcomes. The FIA’s summoning of 65 individuals for a malicious campaign against judges and institutions on social media was also discussed, linking it to the Supreme Court’s decision on the PTI’s intra-party elections. Notable journalists, including Cyril Almeida, Shaheen Sohbai, and Matiullah Jan, were among those issued notices.