LAHORE: While affirming that the law shields robust criticism aimed at rectifying judicial errors, the Lahore High Court has made it clear that it brooks no tolerance for rhetoric that impugns the integrity of judges or erodes public confidence in the judiciary.
Hearing a plea challenging social media campaign targeting the superior judiciary, Justice Ali Zia Bajwa issued a four-page order declaring that freedom of expression remains subject to reasonable legal restrictions. The petitioner, Advocate Parvez Elahi, had challenged the dissemination of defamatory content against judges, prompting the Court to rule that any campaign seeking to sabotage the independence and authority of the bench is intolerable. The Court issued directives to law enforcement agencies to proceed strictly against those defaming the judiciary, though it cautioned that no individual should face victimization or retaliatory action during the process.
PTA and NCCIA Report Progress
During the proceedings, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) informed the Court that efforts to scrub anti-judiciary content are underway in coordination with law enforcement. Meanwhile, the Director General of the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) submitted a report identifying the architects of the campaign. The NCCIA confirmed it has already arrested several suspects linked to the dissemination of the contemptuous material.
The Catalyst: Property Ordinance Suspension
The controversy traces back to December 22, 2024, when the LHC Chief Justice Aalia Neelum issued an interim order suspending the Punjab Protection of Ownership of Immovable Property Ordinance, 2025. The ordinance sought to empower deputy commissioner-led committees to adjudicate property disputes – a move the Court halted. This judicial intervention reportedly drew ire from the provincial government, including Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and her cabinet, followed by a targeted social media campaign against Chief Justice Neelum and Justice Abher Gul Khan of the LHC.
Legal Community Condemns ‘Filthy’ Campaign
The Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) joined the fray on January 10, with Vice Chairman Tahir Nasrullah Warraich condemning the allegations as a direct assault on the institution’s dignity. Warraich noted that the “filthy vilification campaign” was strategically timed to coincide with a Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) meeting regarding Justice Abher’s confirmation as a permanent judge. He expressed grave concern that while the NCCIA often acts on minor issues, it had remained notably silent during the peak of this vulgar campaign against the bench. Later, the Court has adjourned further proceedings until January 22.
