The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday said it had no hesitation to declare that the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) Amendment Ordinance was a draconian one and in conflict with Article-19 of the constitution, reported 24NewsHD TV channel. 

During the hearing of petitions filed against the PECA Ordinance as well as those challenging the authority of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), IHC Chief Justice (CJ) Athar Minallah asked as to why the government was in such a rush that it could not help issuing the ordinance. 

“Now we, as a nation, have reached the stage where we don’t tolerate somebody talking against us; criticizing us,” the judge remarked.

He opined such was the nature of the ordinance that nobody from now on would dare write even, fearing that he or she would be taken to the task for that. “There is a consensus in the entire world that there will be no compromise on the ‘freedom of speech’ of citizens,” the CJ remarked. 

Urging the government not to give the impression that it was misusing its powers to stifle dissent, Justice Minallah noted with concern that what was happening in the country these days did not happen in democratic societies.

He went on to add that the FIA was only arresting the government’s critics, which was unfortunate. 

Also Read: PML-N challenges PECA Ordinance in IHC

Addressing the Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) Khalid Jawed Khan, who was standing in the rostrum, the CJ said that the entire world was separating the laws of defamation from the criminal laws, while here opposite was the case. “A female member of parliament (MP) belonging to the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) had lodged a complaint with the FIA about her neighbour in connection with an environmental issue, which, in return, start harassing that person,” he recalled.           

CJ Minallah said he had once summoned the FIA officials and tried to make them understand the sanctity of human rights. 

The CJ later adjourned the hearing until March 10.

Reporter Ihtesham Kiani