ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s attorney-general was served with a notice on Tuesday by the Islamabad High Court (IHC) in response to a petition contesting the Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Act of 2022. (PECA).
Chief Justice Athar Minallah of the IHC was hearing a petition brought by Maqsood Buttar, the former president of the Lahore High Court (LHC) Bar.
The challenged law, recently promulgated by President Arif Alvi, has sparked outrage from the media and civil society, which have labeled it “draconian.”
Justice Minallah stated at the opening of the hearing that the court would undoubtedly hear the plea if it was presented by the ex-president of the LHC bar.
Advocate Hassan Irfan, the petitioner’s counsel, claimed that Maqsood’s appeal has two distinct arguments from the prior petitions against the PECA amendment legislation.
“The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) does not have the power to investigate a dispute between two private parties,” the lawyer stated, adding that the agency can investigate situations involving the federal government.
In response to Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Monday address to the nation, the IHC top judge stated that it appears that no one informed the premier that there are other statutes for contempt except PECA.
“The law is being utilized against critics here,” said CJ Minallah.
The high court postponed the hearing until March 10 and issued a notice to the attorney general, instructing him to join the petition with other petitions challenging the PECA revision ordinance.
The FIA was ordered by the court to make certain that no action was taken against SOPs.
