LAHORE: Lahore High Court Chief Justice Aalia Neelum on Tuesday remarked that following the 26th amendment, a petitioner cannot discuss or raise any issues beyond the prayer made in the plea.

The CJ was heading a full bench that heard multiple matters including ban on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), harassment of female students at educational institutions and uploading of fake video of Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari on the internet.

At the outset of the hearing, the bench inquired whether there was an official ban on the X platform.

A federal government’s lawyer informed the bench that the interior ministry had issued a notification regarding the ban on X. Petitioner’s lawyer Azhar Siddique argued that the mainstream media had also been subjected to restrictions.

In response, Justice Ali Zia Bajwa, a member of the bench, pointed out that the issue of media was not before the court’s consideration. “You came with a petition against the ban on X, but now you are discussing journalism,” the judge asked the counsel.

Chief Justice Neelum observed that after the recent amendment to article 199 of the Constriction, a high court cannot exercise its jurisdiction beyond the contents of a petition.

She also expressed displeasure over the delayed appearance of the counsel, saying “Everyone’s time is valuable, especially the court’s.”

STUDENTS HARASSMENT: The full bench decided to proceed with further action after reviewing an FIA report filed on a petition against the incidents of harassment of female students in educational institutions.

The FIA DG, the IGP and other officials appeared before the court.

The federal government’s lawyer presented the FIA report, informing the bench that, in compliance with the court’s order, the names of the alleged victims (female students) were not mentioned in the report.

CJ Neelum remarked that the FIA report was detailed and lengthy, therefore, the matter would be examined after reviewing the report.

Justice Ali Zia Bajwa asked the IGP whether police registered an FIR regarding the false incident of harassment at a private college and the subsequent protests.

IGP Dr Usman Anwar said the police had indeed registered a case.

The CJ observed that the police remained silent initially and only took action after the case was filed.

The bench adjourned the proceedings for a date to be fixed by the office. It also adjourned the hearing in the minister’s fake video matter as the FIA filed its progress report.

Published in Dawn, October 23th, 2024