Supreme Court (SC) Monday heard a case of harassment of journalists and remarked that it would intervene to protect the rights of media persons.

According to the 24News HD TV channel, a three-member bench headed by Justice Ijaz Ul Ahsan heard the suo motu notice against harassment of journalists in the Supreme Court.

The SC summoned the FIA director general, IG Islamabad, PEMRA chairman, Attorney General and Advocate General Islamabad in the next hearing of the case.

The court has also sought details of the ongoing proceedings of the pending cases of journalists in the Islamabad High Court (IHC).

During the Monday hearing, Justice Ijaz-ul-Ahsan remarked that the Supreme Court would intervene to protect the rights of journalists.

Justice Ijaz said media was the conscience and voice of the nation and the court wanted to convince itself that the fundamental rights of journalists were not being violated.

On this occasion, Justice Munib Akhtar said that the Constitution of Pakistan provided the freedom to the media and the matter of freedom of press was also mentioned in the German, Indian and American constitutions.

Anyhow, Justice Munib said the SC would declare null and void any law that contradicts Article 19 of the Constitution of Pakistan. Even if the courtroom will empty, we will hold a hearing, Justice Munib added.

Justice Qazi Muhammad Amin Ahmad said that as a judge they couldn’t do politics and same the job of journalists was to do journalism, not to do politics. He said journalism and freedom of expression must be civilized.

The SC judge saying judges were not in the hands of few people but in the hands of history.

On Monday hearing, along with the Press Association Supreme Court, other petitioners including Abdul Qayyum Siddiqui, Asad Toor and Amir Mir withdrew their petitions.

The court adjourned the hearing till September 15.

Reporter: Amanat Gishkori