‘Malicious campaign’: SC gives journalists until after polls to respond to FIA inquiry

Court allows inclusion of Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) as respondent

ISLAMABAD:

The Supreme Court, on Tuesday, granted journalists an extension until after the general elections to respond to the Federal Investigation Agency's (FIA) inquiry regarding a purported malicious campaign against the judiciary on social media.

The controversy stemmed from the Supreme Court's recent decision against the PTI intra-party elections, resulting in the removal of its iconic electoral symbol – the cricket bat. Subsequently, a reported malicious campaign targeting judges and institutions emerged on social media earlier this month.

The FIA cybercrime wing had summoned 65 people, including various journalists and social media activists, for allegedly running the malicious campaign.

Notices have been issued to several journalists and social media activists, including Cyril Almeida, Shaheen Sohbai, Adil Mahmood Raja, Syed Samar Abbas, Asad Ali Toor, Matiullah Jan, Muhammad Siddique Jan, and Muhammad Sabir Shakir.

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In today's proceedings, the court also called for a report on the attack against journalist Absar Alam and adjourned the case until the first week of March.

A three-member bench, led by Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa and comprising Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar and Justice Musarrat Hilali, presided over the suo-motu case against FIA's notices to journalists.

During the proceedings, the chief justice inquired about any applications filed with the court. The president of the Press Association explained that it could not proceed as the FIA had not yet provided the list. The CJP expressed the expectation of a written application and clarified that the court could only make a request to the Attorney General for Pakistan with proper documentation.

The court's order mentioned that the Attorney General had acknowledged forgetting to mention the attack on journalist Absar Alam. Additionally, the court requested an investigation report from the government regarding the incident.

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In a significant development, the court allowed the inclusion of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) as a respondent in the case. It noted that the press association intended to submit an application concerning the current situation and the freedom of the media.

The court directed the registrar's office to promptly assign a number to the petition once filed and elevate it to the three-member judges committee. Furthermore, the court disclosed that the Attorney General had assured a postponement of actions on FIA notices until after the general elections.

The court then adjourned further hearing of the case until the first week of March.