A three-member Supreme Court bench, headed by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, directed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to refrain from arresting any journalists until the next hearing of a suo motu case related to alleged harassment of journalists. The court’s decision came after arguments from the lawyer representing the Press Association of the Supreme Court, who highlighted concerns about the misuse of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) by the FIA. The chief justice questioned the lawyer about the definition of ‘privacy’ and noted that notices issued under Section 160 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) were often a response to pressure from higher authorities. The court adjourned the hearing until April 2 and instructed the FIA not to arrest any journalists in the meantime.
