Lahore: Justice Shahid Karim of the Lahore High Court (LHC) made a historic decision by annulling Section 124-A of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), which deals with sedition.
The decision was made following a set of petitions filed by citizens who challenged the sedition law, claiming that it was being used by the government to target its political rivals. The judgment, which was reserved on the petitions of Selman Abuzar Niazi and others, was pronounced today by Justice Karim.
The petitions had challenged the registration of cases under sedition provisions against those who spoke out against the government. The petitioners argued that the sedition act was enacted in 1860 during the British colonial rule, and it is not in line with the democratic values enshrined in the Constitution of Pakistan.
Furthermore, the petitioners claimed that Section 124-A of sedition is being used for political purposes to silence dissenting voices. The sedition law imposed undue restrictions on the freedom of expression, which is a fundamental right granted to every citizen under the Constitution of Pakistan.
The decision of the LHC to annul Section 124-A of the PPC is being hailed as a major victory for human rights and freedom of speech in Pakistan. It is a significant step towards ending the misuse of laws by the government to suppress political opposition and criticism. The move has been welcomed by civil society groups, lawyers, and human rights activists who have long been calling for the repeal of the sedition law.
The sedition law has been a subject of controversy in Pakistan for several years, and the decision of the LHC has opened a new chapter in the country’s legal history. The government had been using the law to silence opposition voices, and the judiciary had been criticized for being complicit in this process. However, the LHC’s decision has sent a strong message to the government that the judiciary is independent and committed to upholding the rights of the citizens.
The decision of the LHC is also significant because it comes at a time when Pakistan is facing a severe human rights crisis. The country has been ranked among the worst in the world for press freedom and human rights violations. The decision of the court will help to restore the faith of the people in the judiciary and provide a much-needed boost to human rights in the country.
The decision of the LHC to annul Section 124-A of the PPC is a significant milestone in Pakistan’s legal history. It is a victory for human rights and freedom of speech in the country and a clear message to the government that the judiciary is committed to upholding the rights of the citizens. The decision will help to restore the people’s faith in the judiciary and pave the way for a more democratic and free society in Pakistan.
