*ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday forwarded thepetitions against the social media rules to the Parliament. *
The high court today heard petitions against the social media rules devisedby the former government.
“The government has changed and those who were in the opposition previouslyand were opposed to these rules, are now in power,” Chief Justice AtharMinallah remarked during hearing of the case.
“Isn’t it be better for the government to consult with stakeholders andsettle the issue,” Justice Minallah questioned. “The court always thinks itappropriate that the government in power look into the matter and settleit,” the chief justice observed.
“Respecting freedom of expression is necessary, the court sees what ishappening to the freedom of expression,” chief justice IHC observed.“Everything should be clear in the rules, nothing can be left open endedthat can be misused tomorrow,” the chief justice said.
The court summoned People’s Party’s Farhatullah Babar to the rostrum, “Yourparty is now in power, correct these rules,” Justice Athar Minallah said.“It is test of this government, what they were saying when in opposition,they should rectify these rules according to it,” he added.
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Farhatullah Babarlink suggestedthe court to forward the matter to the Parliament, “It will also be test ofthis government,” he said.
The bench ordered that the social media rules should be forwarded to theSpeaker for consideration in the Parliament.
The court sent all petitions with regard to the Pakistan Electronic CrimesAct to the Parliament.
