LHC Chief Justice Aalia Neelum Suspends Cybercrime Notices Issued to Journalists

Lahore High Court Chief Justice Ms. Aalia Neelum has issued a stay order against the notices served by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) to six journalists, including Lahore Press Club President Arshad Ansari.

The case came up for hearing on Friday, where Chief Justice Neelum raised serious questions over the NCCIA’s actions. She summoned the investigating officer along with the complete record, including a copy of the complaint, for the next hearing scheduled on October 14.

During proceedings, the Chief Justice remarked:

• “Who is this complainant Azizullah? Under which law were these notices issued? What is this spectacle created by the NCCIA?”
  She further questioned why similar action was not taken against YouTubers who regularly malign state institutions, and whether the agency planned to deal with the reported 50,000 pending complaints in the same manner.

A large number of journalists, including Court Journalists Association President Muhammad Ashfaq, attended the hearing. Federal law officer Rafiqat Dogar represented the government in court.

Petitioners Arshad Ansari, Mujahid Sheikh, Ahmed Faraz and three other journalists made the NCCIA a party to their petition, challenging the legality of the notices.

Following the hearing, Arshad Ansari expressed gratitude to the Court Journalists Association for their solidarity. He also thanked Lahore High Court Bar President Asif Niswana, Secretary Farukh Ilyas Cheema, Lahore Bar President Mubashir Rehman Chaudhry, Pakistan Bar Council member Pir Masood Chishti, as well as the legal advisors Ali Chengezi Sindhu and Ahmed Ranjha Advocate for standing by professional journalists against what he termed “unlawful actions.”

The case has been adjourned till October 14.

Source: Web Desk