Another petition filed against Punjab defamation law in LHC

Another petition was filed in the Lahore High Court challenging the newly enacted defamation law in Punjab.
The petition was submitted jointly by Association of Electronic Media Editors and News Directors (AEMEND) and Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ).
The petition named the Government of Punjab represented by the Chief Secretary and other officials as respondents. The petitioners alleged that the defamation law passed by the Punjab government was unconstitutional.
AEMEND and PFUJ argue that defamation laws can be misused for political purposes, especially to target journalists and restrict freedom of expression. They argue that the law is a tool of political retaliation against journalists and could undermine their ability to report freely and critically on government activities.
The petitioners asked the Lahore High Court to declare the defamation law invalid, saying it violated constitutional protections of freedom of speech and press.
Last week, the Lahore High Court had to hear a case against the Punjab government, the chief minister and the governor against the defamation law. A petition filed by the concerned party said the law was unconstitutional and the court declared it invalid.
The petitioner also asked for an immediate suspension of the implementation of the Act pending a final decision. The defamation bill, passed by the Punjab Assembly, is awaiting the governor’s signature for several days.