The FIA’s withdrawal of the petition it had filed before the Supreme Court, against the IHC judgement striking down the clauses enhancing certain punishments and making certain offences non-bailable, makes it doubtfuil if the FIA is under any sort of control. The filing of the petition implies that there is a strong lobby within the FIA in favour of the struck-down sections. If the courts could take up cases of fake news and defamation and punish perpetrators swiftly, it would prove a powerful deterrent. However, such a criminal justice system would mean that the tremendous powers of the law-enforcing agencies, to persecute individuals, would be ended. The rule of law does not suit certain powerful quarters either, so no government presses for the abolition of what is a powerful tool in its hands.

Source: Pakistan Today May 08, 2022 18:34 UTC