اردو
  • LHC strikes down sedition law criminalising criticism of govt

    • Last modified on
    • Published in Punjab
    Lahore High Court File Photo Lahore High Court

    The lahore High Court ruled in a case against registration of a case under sedition provisions and struck down Section 124A of the Sedition Act.
    In his judgement Justice Shahid Karim of the Lahore High Court declared Article 124A to be in conflict with the Constitution.

    Petitions were filed by Abuzar Salman Niazi and others against the registration of case under the provisions of sedition in the Lahore High Court. On this occasion, the petitioner said that the Sedition Act was made in 1860 which is a sign of the British era and is used for slaves.

    In his request, the position was adopted that the Constitution of Pakistan gives every citizen the right to freedom of expression, still section 124A is imposed in the Sedition Act for making speeches against the rulers, the Sedition Act is still made political through Section 124 and is being used for purposes.

    It was further held that the imposition of section 124-A of treason on speeches against the government was violative of section 10-A of freedom of expression, the court struck down section 124-A of PPC 1860 as unconstitutional.

    Reacting on the decision of Lahore High Court member of PTI and former Federal Minister Fawad Chaudhry has said that the decision of Lahore High Court recognized the constitutional right to criticize state institutions. This decision ends dozens of politically motivated cases, including my case.