Sedition law abolition by LHC hailed with glee by cross-section of society

Prominent journalists, activists, politicians put their weight behind the move

LAHORE (Web Desk) - Justice Shahid Karim of the Lahore High Court (LHC) on Thursday eliminated Section 124-A of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), known as the sedition law, and the decision was hailed on a large scale. 

The petitioners, in this regard, contended that it was breaching the fundamental human rights and was being used to pursue politically-motivated agendas.

Earlier, the sedition law abolition had been denounced by several civil society members, journalists and politicians but now the decision is being hailed by everyone.

The law states, “Whoever by words, either spoken or written, or by signs, or by visible representation, or otherwise, brings or attempts to bring into hatred or contempt, or excites or attempts to excite disaffection towards, the Federal or Provincial Government established by law shall be punished with imprisonment for life to which fine may be added, or with imprisonment which may extend to three years, to which fine may be added, or with fine”.

As the law was repealed, all came in the support of the LHC’s move.

Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) welcomed the decision on Twitter writing, “HRCP welcomes the Lahore High Court’s decision to invalidate Section 124-A of the PPC, which criminalizes criticism of the federal and provincial governments as ‘inciting disaffection’ or sedition”.

— Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (@HRCP87) March 30, 2023

Lawyer Abuzar Salman Niazi thanked Justice Karim and remembered slain journalist Arshad Sharif writing, “Wow. In my case, Lahore High Court strikes down sedition law (colonial law) Section 124 A, Pakistan Penal Code for being unconstitutional as it violates Article 19 (free speech). I miss you, Arshad Sharif, it was your idea and dream to see this law struck down. Thank you, Justice Shahid Karim”.

— Abuzar Salman Niazi (@SalmanKNiazi1) March 30, 2023

Journalist Ajmal Jami wrote, “The LHC finally repealed the colonial law, known as black law, after 163 years”. He congratulated Mr Niazi writing, “It was Arshad Sharif’s idea which was taken up by Mr Niazi for consultation with journalistic fraternity before moving the LHC”.

— Ajmal Jami (@ajmaljami) March 30, 2023

Arshad Sharif’s widow and columnist Javeria Siddique while mentioning the annulment wrote, “Slain journalist Arshad Sharif was booked in 16 fake cases under 124-A sedition law in 2022. This law is being used as a tool to harass journalists and activists in Pakistan. Today finally LHC Justice Shahid Karim strikes down Section 124-A of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), 1860”.

— Javeria Siddique (@javerias) March 30, 2023

PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry took to Twitter to thank the lawyer for "doing a huge service to the nation". 

— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) March 30, 2023

Journalist Hamid Mir found his “opinion endorsed on the law” writing, “Finally Lahore High Court endorsed our opinion on 124-A. All those who used this colonial law against journalists and political activists in the past must say sorry to the nation. Fact is that the PTI government opposed a bill against this law in the parliament”.

— Hamid Mir حامد میر (@HamidMirPAK) March 30, 2023