HC rejects petition challenging sedition law

The High Court has rejected a writ petition seeking a declaration that Section 124A of the Penal Code, which deals with sedition, is unconstitutional and should be repealed.

Justice Raziq-Al-Jalil passed the order on Monday following a hearing in which Supreme Court lawyer Ishrat Hasan appeared for the petitioner. Ishrat Hasan filed the writ petition on January 20, challenging the constitutional validity of the sedition provision.

The petition argued that Section 124A seriously undermines citizens’ freedom of expression, including their right to express opinions against the government.

It further contended that the provision was enacted during the colonial era, primarily to suppress the independence movement, and is incompatible with a democratic Constitution.

The petitioner argued that Section 124A is contrary to the fundamental rights guaranteed under Articles 7, 26, 27, 31, 32 and 39 of the Constitution.

On those grounds, the petition sought a rule declaring the sedition provision unconstitutional and ineffective.

During Monday’s hearing, Advocate Ishrat Hasan represented the petitioner before the High Court bench headed by Justice Raziq-Al-Jalil.

The court ultimately rejected the writ petition seeking to invalidate the provision.
The order leaves Section 124A of the Penal Code in force.