Peshawar High Court Rules Police Cannot Register FIRs Against Journalists Under PECA

Case Against Journalist Declared Illegal; FIR Quashed by High Court

The Peshawar High Court has ruled that police are not legally authorized to register cases against journalists under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA). In a landmark decision, the court quashed an FIR filed against journalist Muhammad Zahid from Mardan, terming the case unlawful.

The divisional bench, comprising Justice Sahibzada Asadullah Khan and Justice Farah Jamshed, declared that the FIR registered under PECA and sections 20, 500, and 506 of the Pakistan Penal Code was beyond the legal authority of the police, and thus stood null and void.

Renowned lawyer Najmuddin Khan Advocate represented the petitioner, Muhammad Zahid, and effectively convinced the court with his arguments. On the other hand, prominent lawyer Shabbir Hussain Gigyani pursued the case on behalf of the Mardan Press Club.

Journalistic circles across the region have welcomed the court’s verdict, calling it a significant step in favor of press freedom and a positive development for the protection of journalists’ rights.

Report by: Muhammad Zeb