LAHORE: The Punjab Defamation Act 2024 has been challenged in the Lahore High Court hours after it was signed by Acting Punjab Governor Malik Ahmed Khan.
The petition has been filed in the Lahore High Court by journalist Jafar Ahmed Yar and Raja Riaz through Advocate Nadeem Sarwar. In the petition, the Punjab chief minister and governor through principal secretary and Punjab government have been made parties.
The petitioner has taken the stance that the defamation law violates the constitution and law. In the presence of the defamation ordinance and the defamation act, a new law cannot be made.
The petitioner said the government did not make consultations with the journalists while enacting the new law. He said the defamation law was brought in haste to curb freedom of journalists and media.
The petitioner prayed to the court to declare the defamation law null and void and stop its implementation till a final decision on the petition.
Meanwhile, An emergency meeting of Joint Action Committee (JAC) was held at Lahore Press Club to craft the future strategy against the controversial legislation.
The meeting was attended by CPNE President Irshad Arif, Lahore Press Club President Arshad Ansari, Dunya Media Group Managing Director Naveed Kashif, former CPNE president Kazim Khan, senior journalist Ayaz Khan and others.
All the representatives of journalists’ organisations termed the legislation against the human rights and vowed to launch a movement.
It was decided in the meeting that journalists would boycott from all the assemblies, government ceremonies, functions, budget sessions and press conferences.
It was also decided in the meeting that the United Nationals would be approached against this anti-human legislation.
The Committee also vowed to stage protest demonstrations outside important government offices.
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