Supreme Court’s (SC) Justice Qazi Faez Isa has expressed serious concerns over the press freedom situation in Pakistan, holding a referendum on freedom of press in his court.
“Tell me… is media free in Pakistan?” Justice Isa asked the attorney general while hearing the case regarding local government elections with Justice Maqbool Baqir.
The top court judge asked the reporters present in the courtroom to raise their hands if media was free in the country. Even though a number of media persons were present, nobody raised their hands.
At this, Justice Isa said, “The people who are behind curbs on media must go to jails.”
“The country is systematically being damaged. The poor are crying,” he added.
Justice Baqir, on the other hand, remarked that a judge should avoid discussing such things but for how long could one remain silent on a situation such as the prevailing one. “It is not an ideal situation.”
Earlier, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) submitted schedule of local bodies elections to the court.
The election watchdog, in its reply to the apex court, stated that local government polls will be held in Punjab on July 20 while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Cantonment Boards will hold the election on April 8.
The commission further said that decision regarding date of the elections in Sindh and Balochistan will be taken on February 11.
Last Thursday, the top court had asked the ECP to furnish a comprehensive reply within a week on holding the polls.
