LAHORE - Pakistan Awami Tehreek yesterday filed a writ petition in the Lahore High Court, challenging certain provisions of Cybercrime Act, 2016.
Party’s counsel Ishtiaq A Khan submitted that he had challenged some provisions in the Act for being contrary to the Constitution of Pakistan, 1973. The petitioner stated that the provisions were against the freedom of expression - one of the fundamental rights of the citizens. He said all segments of the society were concerned about the newly enacted law.
He argued that political parties and their members can abuse the law by filing complaints against each other. “A provision was also included into the Act which made it equal the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997,” the PAT counsel added.
The petitioner pointed out that Section 18 of the Act was included to curb defamation but this law was already there. He submitted that instead of including Section-18 in Cybercrime Act, 2016, the defamation laws could have been amended.
“Moreover, FIA has been given boundless powers to arrest any citizen and interfere into his privacy without any solid reason which is unlawful,” the petitioner stated while arguing the ‘absurd’ punishment of Rs50 million fine and imprisonment.
LHC stays 100pc electricity
charge on industries
The Lahore High Court yesterday stayed recovery of 100 percent fixed charges from the industries through electricity bills.
Shan Steel Industries filed the petition through Advocate Hassan Virk and submitted that SC had already settled 50 percent fixed charge on the industries and not the 100 percent, but Lesco was charging 100 fixed charge from the industries.
The counsel held it was violation of the SC’s decision. He prayed the court to bar Lesco from charging fixed charge from the industries.
After hearing initial arguments, Justice Shahid Bilal Hassan stayed recovery of fixed charges from the industries through electricity bills, and sought replies from the Lesco and Ministry of Water and power within two weeks.
CJ visits Quetta
Lahore High Court Chief Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah visited Balochistan High Court Chief Justice and expressed his condolence on Quetta killings.
Senior puisne judge, Justice Shahid Hameed Dar and Justice Atir Mahmood accompanied the chief justice during the visit. Chief Justice Shah also met lawyers and conveyed to them condolence on behalf of all judges of the LHC.