Justice Anwaar Hussain of the Lahore High Court on Monday directed several petitions contesting the Punjab Defamation Act 2024 to be forwarded to the court’s chief justice, following an objection raised by the provincial government’s legal counsel during the hearing.
The petitions challenge the legislation enacted in June 2024, which the Punjab government defended as essential for safeguarding public officials from “false and defamatory claims” disseminated through print, electronic, and social media platforms. Shortly after the law’s enactment, over a dozen petitions were submitted by journalists, lawyers, civil society members, and political parties opposing the statute.
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan criticized the law, labeling it a “threat to freedom of speech and the press in Punjab.” After nearly two years of delay, the petitions were scheduled for hearing last month before Justice Hussain, who listened to arguments from both the government’s legal representatives and the petitioners.
During earlier sessions, lawyers representing the petitioners contended that the law’s provisions restrict journalists and citizens from holding authorities accountable, thereby undermining democratic values. On Monday, Asad Jamal, counsel for journalists Mansoor Ali Khan and Benazir Shah, was set to continue his arguments when the Punjab government’s lawyer objected, stating that since the Defamation Act empowers the LHC chief justice to appoint tribunals—and such tribunals had been established in consultation with the chief justice—the case should be referred to her for the formation of a new bench.
Opposing this, lawyer Rida Hosain argued that transferring a part-heard case mid-proceedings was improper. She further pointed out that both the law itself and the tribunals appointed under it by the LHC chief justice are under challenge, making it unsuitable for the chief justice to preside over the matter.
Following a brief recess, Justice Hussain ruled that the petitions be sent back to the LHC chief justice to decide which bench should hear the case moving forward.
