ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Monday instructed its registrar office to schedule an open hearing for a petition filed against the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) leadership regarding an alleged hate campaign against national institutions, including the armed forces, the top court, and the Election Commission of Pakistan. The petition concerns an alleged campaign targeting the aforementioned institutions.
While returning the petition and hearing an appeal in his chambers, Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah directed that the subject be brought before the court. He also withdrew the registrar office’s objections.
According to Article 184(3) of the Constitution, the SC office had raised concerns about the petition being submitted straight to the top court rather than first addressing the forums below it.In addition, the petition requested that a commission be appointed by the court to assess the effects and harm caused by the alleged organised hate campaign, recommend legal actions and proceedings, and determine individual and collective liability in order to stop the campaign’s negative effects against national security institutions, which have harmed Pakistan’s relations with friendly nations.
The PTI and Imran Khan, former ministers Fawad Chaudhry and Dr. Shireen Mazari, the federation through the interior secretary, and other parties were named as respondents in the petition.
A directive was also requested in the petition for the Pakistan Telecommunication, Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority, Federal Investigation Authority, law enforcement organisations, and the Pakistani Election Commission to strictly control the publication of an alleged organised hate campaign and deal with anyone found to be in violation.
