ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain on Sunday appealed to the Supreme Court of Pakistan to appoint judges at every district and city level to ensure effective implementation of defamation and libel laws in the country.
In a letter to addressed to the Registrar of the Apex Court, the minister requested to seek attention of the Chief Justice of Pakistan on matter of public importance.
He suggested appointment of four judges in every district with a population of five millions and above, two judges for the population of 2.5 million and one judge for less than 2.5 million people to deal cases related to defamation and libel laws.
The Minister said print, electronic and digital media have massively expanded in recent years and it also has deep access in the society, which influenced its all segments. Chaudhry Fawad said unfortunately, laws pertaining to defamation and derogatory writings have not been implemented in an effective way, which has created a hindrance in accountability of criminals and quick dispensation of justice.
The minister also requested to make process of filing a petition, provision of evidence, and recording a testimony easy and simple. In this regard, he requested the SC to accord permission for filing applications through electronic and modern means by incorporating some amendments.
The Minister appealed for full implemention of the law enabling an individual to record his testimony through video. He said chief justices of all the high courts should be requested to enforce this in their respective jurisdictions as this step will help stop spread of baseless allegations and fake news. He also requested that this matter may be discussed in next meeting of Judicial Committee for its early implemantation.
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