SC orders probe into manhandling of journalists

islamabad — The Supreme Court on Friday ordered a judicial inquiry into manhandling of journalists by the federal capital’s police while they were celebrating World Press Freedom Day on Thursday.

A three-member bench chaired by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar directed Sessions Judge Sohail Nasir to conduct a judicial inquiry and sought report within 10 days.

Hearing a suo motu notice in connection with media persons manhandling, the chief justice inquired from the deputy commissioner when was the Section 144 imposed in the federal capital?

To this DC replied that the law was in place since 2014.

“Who ordered you to exercise it? did you forget about the human rights while imposing Section 144?” the chief justice asked.

He remarked that the journalists were holding a peaceful protest and it was inappropriate to use force against peaceful protesters.

Islamabad police Inspector General Sultan Azam Taimuri informed the apex court that the journalists were trying to break the barriers when they were stopped from entering the Red Zone area.

The chief justice remarked that section 144 was only for specific events adding that this was a British-era black law that allowed authorities to apprehend a group of five people or more on their own will. — APP

Section 144 is a British-era black law that allowed authorities to apprehend a group of five people or more on their own will

Saqib Nisar, Chief Justice