Lahore (Web Desk): The Punjab Defamation Act, 2024 passed by the provincial assembly has been challenged in the Lahore High Court (LHC).
On behalf of journalist Jaffar Ahmad Yar and a citizen Raja Riaz, Advocate Nadeem Sarwar filed a petition against the law on Saturday, making the chief minister, governor, and Punjab government respondents in it.
The petition argued that the law goes against the constitution and existing defamation ordinances and acts.
It claimed that journalists were not consulted before passing the law, suggesting it was rushed to control the media.
The petition urged the court to declare the defamation law ‘null and void’ and halt its implementation until the case is resolved.
Earlier, Acting Governor Punjab Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan signed the controversial Punjab Defamation Bill 2024 making it into law.
The bill that received criticism, particularly from journalists and digital rights activists, has been signed in absence of Punjab Governor Sardar Salim Khan who is on leave.
On May 20, the Punjab Assembly passed the controversial Punjab Defamation Bill, 2024 amid a strong and noisy protest by the opposition as well as immense backlash from journalists and rights bodies including those based internationally.
The draft law proposes a special tribunal to try those involved in drafting, publishing and/or airing “fake news”. The tribunal shall decide the case within six months and may impose a fine of up to Rs3 million.
However, in cases of allegations against individuals holding constitutional posts, the high court will hear the cases.
The bill further says that the government will provide legal assistance to women and transgender individuals in defamation cases through an official legal team.