LAHORE: Lahore High Court (LHC) Judge Shahid Karim on Thursday pushed for the federal government reply on A plea commitment to compliance with mutiny warrant.
Last month, the LHC issued an order repealing Section 124-A. of The Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), commonly known as sedition law, which refers to crime of sedition or incitement to discontent against the government announcing it as ultra vires of Constitution.
During the hearing on Thursday, petitioner counsel claimed that the LHC hit down sedition law, but government still not complying with court order.
He claimed that this law was made in 1860 in British era, adding that the British used this law for their slaves, as it was easy to register first information report (FIR) against anyone under this section.
“But the Constitution of Pakistan grants the right of Liberty of appeal to every citizen,” he said. petitioner.
He argued that despite the LHC’s order, FIRs are being registered. against political leaders in accordance with the above section.
petitioner asked the court to grant with his earlier order which passed the sedition law down since this section is not only contrary to the Constitution, but also also against his “real essence”.
Earlier this yearLHC Judge Karim announced V decision which he left after listening to detailed arguments on various petitions.
Lawyers representing the federation vehemently opposed the arguments of The applicants’ lawyers, arguing that this section concerned “anyone who, by words, spoken or written, or signs, or visible image, or otherwise, arouses or attempts to arouse hatred or contempt, or arouses or attempts to arouse dissatisfaction with the federal or provincial government established by law are punished”.
They added that Section 124-A of PPC has been used in correspondence with a law prohibiting any person from resorting to these crimes.
However, the applicants’ lawyers argued that use of this section was tantamount to deprivation people of their basic right of Liberty of expression.
