Justice Shahid Karim of the Lahore High Court (LHC) on Thursday annulled Section 124-A, of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), dealing with sedation.
The order of the court came on a set of petitions filed by citizens challenging the sedition law on grounds that the government used it against its rivals.
Justice Karim pronounced the judgment.
What is Section 124A?
The Section 124A of the Treason Act commonly known as sedition law says: “Whoever by words, either spoken or written, or by signs, or by visible representation, or otherwise, brings or attempts to bring into hatred or contempt, or excites or attempts to excite disaffection towards, the federal or provincial government established by law shall be punished with imprisonment for life to which fine may be added, or with imprisonment which may extend to three years, to which fine may be added, or with fine.”
Petitions
The petitions had challenged the registration of cases under sedition provisions against those who spoke against the government.
It was argued in the petition that the sedition act was enacted in 1860 which is a sign of the British colonial rule.
It added that this law was used for slaves under which a case can be registered at anyone’s request.
It was stated in the petition that the Constitution of Pakistan gives every citizen the right to freedom of expression but still, Section 124-A is imposed for making speeches against the rulers.
PTI welcomes LHC’s decision
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and former minister Fawad Chaudhry has hailed the Lahore High Court (LHC) for striking down Section 124-A of the criminal law that pertains to sedition.
Fawad took to Twitter and retweeted Advocate Abuzar Salman Niazi ‘s tweet, who moved the LHC against the colonial-era law.
“Congratulations, Salman Niazi, you have done a huge service to the nation. Shaheed Arshad Sharif must be smiling in the heavens.. stay blessed,” wrote Fawad in his tweet.
