Punjab Defamation Act 2024 challenged in LHC

On Wednesday, senior journalists filed a petition at the Lahore High Court (LHC) challenging the controversial Punjab Defamation Act 2024 after the bill was approved in May of this year.

Earlier, on May 20, the Punjab Assembly passed the defamation bill despite strong protests by the opposition, journalists, and civil rights organisations.

“The controversial Punjab Act is repugnant to the Defamation Ordinance 2002, which has been provided protection under Article 270AA under the 18th Amendment to the constitution,” read the petition.

The petitioners argued in their petition that the Act violated fundamental rights guaranteed in Articles 10A, 18, 19, 19A, and 25 of the Constitution.

The petition also stated that the Act aims to stifle freedom of speech and dissent, as it has affected the work of journalists due to egregious punishments.