ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice-designate Justice Qazi Faez Isa on Wednesday observed that truth should always be spoken at all cost even by judges, journalists and all human beings since truth always prevails .

No information or news should be disseminated without checking first its veracity, Justice Isa observed while speaking at an oath taking ceremony of the executive body of the Press Association of the Supreme Court (PAS) headed by its president Tayyab Baloch. The ceremony was held at the Quetta Shuhada Hall of the Supreme Court.

The true justice can only be dispensed if it is based on truth since truth ensures the independence of judiciary and is the basis behind the freedom of the press, observed Justice Isa.

The sole purpose of all the laws enacted is to bring the truth before the people, Justice Isa observed.

The importance of truth has always been considered supreme in Islam Justice Isa recalled and also referred certain verses from the Holy Bible which states that: “Truth will always set you free.”

Likewise Justice Isa referred to Ayat 119 of Surah Toubah which ordained that believers should have fear of Allah and always stand with those who were truthful.

Elaborating further, Justice Isa highlighted that the job of the journalist was to investigate whether the news he was about to disseminate was based on truth or false also emphasizing that the journalist should also clarify first that whatever he was writing or telling was a news or his personal opinion since there was a difference between the truth and the opinion. No one can deny or contest the truth, Justice Isa observed and recalled throughout the world those who write articles or opinion pieces were not considered journalist.

It is easy to take a camera or a cellular phone or get associated with a media house but it does not make an individual a journalist unless he report what was based on truth, observed Justice Isa.

It is one thing to report after witnessing a happening or an incident but it was different to disseminate news merely on hearsay, Justice Isa emphasized.

Justice Isa was confident that PAS members will continue upholding the best traditions of the press which plays a crucial role in disseminating information and simultaneously ensure accurate reporting.

The importance of the freedom of speech and expression and the press could be gauged from the fact that Article 19 of the constitution sets it out as a fundamental right.

Earlier, President PAS Tayyab Baloch said that he was confident that when Justice Isa will become CJP he would decide the pending presidential reference filed by then President Asif Ali Zardar regarding injustice committed to then Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.

Published in Dawn, August 24th, 2023