LHC orders steps to prevent defamation of judges on social media

Issuing an interim order in writing on the petition filed against the character assassination of judges of the Lahore High Court (LHC) on social media, the LHC on Wednesday declared the campaign against the dignity of judiciary, and directed the concerned departments to take immediate and effective steps so that people could be stopped from indulging in such practices, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

The court also sought the list of the people who posted defamatory content against judges on social media.

Justice Ali Zia Bajwa issued the interim order on the petition filed by Advocate Pervez Elahi.

The court ordered the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) DG to submit a detailed report on the next hearing.

The LHC made it clear that no one would be allowed to defame judges in the name of freedom of expression.

The court observed that the respect for judiciary was of paramount importance in any constitutional system.

It said that the concerned officials were bound to stop people from posting and sharing such insulting content.

The LHC also ordered that defamatory content should be immediately removed from social media and other platforms and later a report be submitted.

It also ordered the advocate general Punjab (AGP) to submit a detailed report on the next hearing.

Speaking on the occasion, the AGP said that the Punjab government would take steps in order to protect the independence of judiciary and respect.

The AGP termed the campaign against the judges unfortunate.

Reporters: Malik Ashraf and Jamaluddin Jamali