ISLAMABAD: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Monday assured the Supreme Court that it will withdraw the cases filed against journalists on harassment charges.
The cases were registered due to a “malicious campaign” allegedly targeting the judiciary and other state institutions on social media.
The case was presided over by a bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa.
The CJP noted that the court also took notice of the harassment of journalists in 2021. “Had action been taken quickly, we might not be facing this today – the matter was more serious than just the FIA notice,” the chief justice observed. .
He also highlighted the apparent reluctance of some to take a firm stand before the court.
A legal adviser representing journalists drew attention to Section 20 of the Prevention of Electronic Crime Act (PECA) and called its frequent misuse a problem.
The court responded that the FIA has undertaken to withdraw the cases against journalists Amir Mir and Imran Shafqat. FIA officials have also confirmed that applications will be made to formally drop the charges against the above mentioned individuals.
The court then adjourned the hearing to March 27.
Earlier this month, the SC slammed the FIA for harassing media workers, noting that the authorities had issued notices to journalists under the pretext of investigating an online campaign against the senior judiciary — an investigation the SC never ordered.
On 30 January, the oversight committee granted journalists an extension of time until after the general election to respond to an inquiry by the FIA regarding an alleged malicious campaign against the judiciary on social media.
The controversy stemmed from the Supreme Court’s recent ruling against PTI’s intra-party election, which resulted in the removal of its iconic election symbol – the cricket bat. Subsequently, earlier this month, a reported malicious campaign targeting judges and institutions surfaced on social media.
On January 28, the FIA’s Cyber Crime Wing summoned 65 people, including various journalists and social media activists, for allegedly running a malicious campaign.
