Pakistan

124-A: Lahore High Court strikes down sedition law

Published

2 years ago

Farwa

LAHORE: Justice Shahid Karim of the Lahore High Court (LHC) on Thursday annulled Section 124-A, of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), dealing with sedition.

The order of the court came on a set of petitions filed by citizens challenging the sedition law on grounds that the government used it against its rivals.

Justice Karim pronounced the judgment today which was reserved on the petitions of Selman Abuzar Niazi and others.

The petitions had challenged the registration of cases under sedition provisions against those who spoke against the government.

It was argued in the petition that the sedition act was enacted in 1860 which is a sign of British colonial rule.

It added that this law was used for slaves under which a case can be registered on anyone’s request.

It was stated in the petition that the Constitution of Pakistan gives every citizen the right to freedom of expression but still, Section 124-A is imposed for making speeches against the rulers.

According to the petitioners, Section 124-A of sedition is being used for political purposes and should be struck down.

What is Section 124-A of PPC?

Sedition: Whoever by words, either spoken or written, or by signs, or by visible representation, or otherwise, brings or attempts to bring into hatred or contempt, or excites or attempts to excite disaffection towards, the Federal or Provincial Government established by law shall be punished with imprisonment for life to which fine may be added, or with imprisonment which may extend to three years, to which fine may be added, or with fine.

Explanation 1: The expression disaffection includes disloyalty and all feelings of enmity.

Explanation 2: Comments expressing disapprobation of the measures of the Government with a view to obtain their alteration by lawful means, without exciting or attempting to excite hatred, contempt or disaffection, do not constitute an offence under this section.

Explanation 3: Comments expressing disapprobation of the administrative or other action of the Government without exciting or attempting to excite hatred, contempt or disaffection, do not constitute an offence under this section.

Latest News

SCO Summit Preparations: Interior Minister Examines SCO Summit Arrangements

Published

3 days ago

Farwa

The preparations for the Shanghai Corporation Organization Summit, which will take place in Islamabad next week, were reviewed by Federal Minister of the Interior Mohsin Naqvi during his tour of the Federal Capital.

D-Chowk, Constitution Avenue, Murree Road, and the Islamabad Expressway were all thoroughly inspected by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi.

The Minister gave the authorities instructions regarding the optimal setup for the next summit after reviewing the refurbishment and cleaning plans for the SCO Summit.

The minister stated that while ensuring that all of Islamabad is clean, particularly the VVIP routes and the red area, the construction and restoration projects should be finished as quickly as feasible.

Mohsin Naqvi stated that the SCO Summit will showcase Islamabad’s natural beauty on this particular occasion.

Latest News

Elahi Bakhsh Soomro Dies; Karachi Will Hold Funeral Prayer Today

Published

3 days ago

Farwa

After a lengthy illness, Elahi Bakhsh Soomro, the former Speaker of the National Assembly, passed away. At ninety-eight years old.

Today at 1:00 PM in Karachi, there will be a funeral prayer for him.

In the Jacobabad District of Sindh, Soomro was born in 1926. He was a member of the Shikarpur-based Soomro family, who for a long time dominated Sindh. He was the brother of Ahmad Mian Soomro and the son of Maula Bakhsh Soomro. His degree is in engineering.

The federal minister is now Elahi Bakhsh Soomro. In 1985, he was elected without opposition to the national legislature.

He was elected as a Member of Parliament for the Pakistan Muslim League in the 1990 and 1997 elections. Additionally, he was repeatedly elected to the Senate at various points in time.

Latest News

SIFC Supports Shanxi Coal Initiative: China to Finance Coal-to-Chemicals Project in Pakistan

Published

3 days ago

Farwa

The Shanxi Coal and Chemical Industry Group of China intends to invest in technologies for the production of chemicals derived from coal reserves in Sindh, Pakistan. This project, supported by the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), seeks to improve collaboration between Pakistan and China in energy and industrial advancement.

Shanxi Coal and Chemical, one of China’s major state-owned firms, has made substantial investments in the coal and energy sectors. This project illustrates the increasing cooperation between the two nations.

Pakistan aims to fulfill its energy requirements by augmenting coal-fired production, thereby lowering electricity generation expenses. Petroleum Minister Musadik Malik stated that “Pakistan possesses extensive coal reserves, and this initiative demonstrates our dedication to the effective utilization of our natural resources.”

Pakistan now extracts roughly 7.6 million tons of coal annually from the Thar region, with intentions to augment this to 11 million tons within three years. The efficient utilization of these resources can stabilize the nation’s economy.