The high court also dismissed cases against journalist Bilal Ghauri and Absar Alam that were registered under the same section. However, it added that the minister could file a case under other defamation laws.

In an earlier hearing, the IHC said the amendments to Peca through an ordinance promulgated in February this year were “unconstitutional”.

The decision was announced by IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah in connection with the petitions filed against Peca ordinance by the Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA) and other media bodies.
In a four-page order, Justice Minallah said the court has also declared null and void Section 20 of Peca.