During hearing of petitions against the Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Act, 2023, the apex court on Thursday was informed by the attorney general that the federal government had decided to review the law in consultation with the top court. 

An eight-member larger bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial conducted hearing of the case. 

The Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Bill, 2023 introduced by the government, has become law after being approved by parliament and signed by the president. During the hearing, the court was informed that the federal government had decided to review the practice and procedure act. 

The attorney general said the law would now be amended in consultation with Supreme Court. Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial welcomed the move, saying the revision will bring harmony in laws. 

The attorney general said some provisions were similar in both the practice and procedure bill and the revision law. The two laws will be re-examined to avoid conflict.

The chief justice, while talking to the attorney general, said, “You are dealing with the issue of the Supreme Court. If the government consults these matters with the judiciary, there will be no conflict. If you want, the full court would listen to the arguments on the full court formation.”  

The chief justice further remarked, “If we review the law, it will be an academic exercise. So we should first define the scope of the dispute. Setting the scope will help focus the hearing mechanism.” 

Later, the court adjourned the hearing on petitions against the Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Act, 2023 till next week.

Two soldiers embraced martyrdom during an intense crossfire between a group of militants and security forces in Singwan area of Kech district, the military’s media affairs wing said in a statement on Thursday. 

Unidentified gunmen attacked a check post along the Pak-Iran border. Security officials repulsed the attack after heavy exchange of fire. 

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), since troops on the check post were already alert and responded gallantly with all available weapons, a heavy fire exchange ensued. 

Security forces pushed back the terrorists successfully, however, during the intense fire exchange, two soldiers Sepoy Hasnain Ishtiaq, 34, of Dera Ghazi Khan district and Sepoy Inayatullah, 27, of Jhal Magsi district embraced martyrdom while fighting bravely with the terrorists. 

Later, security forces launched an immediate sanitisation operation in the area and are in communication with Iranian authorities across as well to deny terrorists any opportunity to escape. 

Security forces, in step with the nation, remain determined to thwart attempts at sabotaging peace and stability all along the borders in Balochistan, the ISPR release said.

A day earlier, two terrorists were gunned down by security forces in an operation conducted in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s South Waziristan district.

The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) has barred the television channels from coverage of “hate mongers, perpetrators and their facilitators” in order to maintain peace and tranquility in the country. 

In its latest directives to the television channels, the regulatory body calls for ensuring the provision of right to freedom of speech and expression to citizens, but it is subject to reasonable restrictions imposed by law in the interest of the country. 

“As per Article 19 of the Constitution of The Islamic Republic of Pakistan, every citizen shall have the right to freedom of speech and expression, and there shall be freedom of the press, subject to any reasonable restrictions imposed by law in the interest of the glory of Islam or the integrity, security or defence of Pakistan or any part thereof friendly relations with foreign States, public order, decency or morality, or in relation to contempt of court, [commission of] or incitement to an offence.” 

It further said, “It is crucial to strike a balance between protecting freedom of speech and maintaining public order. Restrictions on speech during riots or situations of unrest are often aimed at preventing the escalation of violence and safeguarding the safety and well-being of the general public.” 

Pemra also gave a reference of May 9 incidents when protests had erupted in various cities following the arrest of a political party’s head. During the protests, military properties were ransacked by the workers of the PTI. 

It said “politically charged up zealots of political party” attacked state and public properties, endangered innocent lives, and promoted anti-state elements to weaken the country and state institutions. 

Calling the incidents condemnable, the notification stated: “In the wake of aforementioned scenario, all satellite TV channel licensees are directed to remain vigilant and not to promote any hate monger, perpetrators and their facilitators inadvertently.” 

The regulatory body had directed the channels to avoid promoting hatemongers, adding that planners and perpetrators of hateful violence should not be promoted on television, and violent, discriminatory content not should be aired. 

“The licensee shall ensure that nothing is contained in any programme, or an advertisement, which is prejudicial to the interests of the sovereignty and integrity of Pakistan, ideology of Pakistan, security, friendly relations with foreign states, public order or which may constitute contempt of court, defamation or incitement to an offence or brings into disrepute the State institutions including armed forces,” the notification read. 

It also directed all television channels “to adhere to [the] provisions of PEMRA laws and orders of the superior courts by refraining from providing their airtime to such individuals who propagate hate speech and provoke public sentiments against the Federation and State Institutions.” It also advised the broadcasters to use of an effective time delay mechanism to ensure effective monitoring of the content being aired live.

“No licensee shall broadcast any live programme unless there is an effective delaying mechanism put in place in order to ensure effective monitoring and editorial control in conformity with this Code.”