Harassment Case: Journalists Take U-Turn in SC
Amir Mir, Asad Toor, and Abdul Qayyum Siddiqui have withdrawn their applications in the apex court as they left the matter on Allah
Supreme Court (SC) has decided to continue the hearing of the case pertaining to harassment of journalists despite the withdrawal of pleas by the petitioners.
The journalists including Amir Mir, Asad Toor, and Abdul Qayyum Siddiqui have withdrawn their applications in the apex court.
Earlier, the case was being presided over by Justice Faez Isa as a suo moto notice. He had taken notice of the petition of the Press Association of the Supreme Court (PAS) on August 20.
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However, a five-member bench headed by Acting Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial and comprising Justice Ijazul Ahsan, Justice Munib Akhtar, Justice Qazi Mohammad Amin Ahmad, and Justice Mohammad Ali Mazhar took up the matter of jurisdiction of suo moto notice on August 23.
It ruled that suo moto notice is the discretion of the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) only.
The related bench revoked all findings of the bench headed by Justice Faez Isa in the harassment of journalists case.
A three-member bench of the SC court led by Justice Ijazul Ahsan is now continuing the suo motu case.
Following the dissolution of the bench led by Justice Faez Isa, the media persons including Aamir Mir, Abdul Qayyum Siddiqui and Asad Toor have withdrawn their petitions.
Losing the vigor, the journalists said they have left the matter to Allah and the victims will get justice on the day of judgment.
However, PAS President Amjad Nazir Bhatti has decided to be part of the proceedings.
During the hearing, Justice Ijazul Ahsan stated that they will address the issue of harassment of journalists.
The court also remarked that it will summon all stakeholders and review if any rights of the media men have been violated.
Justice Qazi Amin Ahmed remarked that journalists cannot do politics like the judges.
The withdrawal of pleas has called into question the credibility of the journalists who were pursuing an important issue on behalf of their community.
The community members are questioning if all issues related to harassment of journalists have been resolved or the applicants do not trust the current bench of the apex court.
