IHC order to resolve issues of journalists and media workers
Chief Justice Athar Minallah has directed Secretary Information and Secretary Law to submit report within two weeks.
A single bench of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) has issued an order on a petition filed by journalists and media workers seeking redressal of their grievances.
A one-member bench comprising Chief Justice Athar Minallah sought reply from the Information Secretary and Law Secretary within two weeks on the steps taken to resolve the issues facing journalists and media workers. The court was informed that 40,000 cases of journalists are pending in ITNE on which the court also directed the Registrar RETNS to submit a report.
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In a two-page order of the Islamabad High Court, the court asked the Information Secretary and the Law Secretary to state what steps have been taken to protect media workers and journalists.
The President of the Supreme Court Bar and the President of the Islamabad High Court Journalists Association have been appointed judicial assistants by the Islamabad High Court in view of public interest matters, while senior journalists Hamid Mir and Mazhar Abbas should also assist the court.
The Chief Justice of the Islamabad High Court said that he had been informed that there was no effective legislation for the security of media workers and journalists.
The written order said that the petitioner has raised questions of public interest in the context of Articles 9, 14, 19 and 19A of the Constitution. Media workers told the court that ensuring the safety of journalists is one of the basic human rights.
It was brought to the notice of the court that 40,000 cases of journalists and newspaper workers are pending in ITNE at present. Given.
The Islamabad High Court also said that the freedom of editors, reporters and columnists is of utmost importance. The safety of journalists is important.
The Islamabad High Court directed the aides to submit their recommendations in the context of the United Nations Human Rights Commission till the next hearing. Further hearing of the case will be held in three weeks.
