A Pakistani court has issued notices to former army chief Qamar Javed Bajwa, ex-spymaster Faiz Hamid, and two journalists over allegations of violating the Official Secrets Act. The petition was filed by a concerned citizen who claims that the journalists, Javed Chaudhry and Shahid Maitla, published interviews with the former generals that contained classified information. The petitioner also alleges that the interviews were conducted in a reckless manner and that the journalists did not show any sense of responsibility in publishing them.
The petitioner is asking the court to direct the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to register a case against the former generals and the journalists. He is also asking the court to direct the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) to ban the two journalists.
The petition initially faced an objection from the registrar's office of the IHC, which argued that the high court was not the appropriate forum for such a case. However, the chief justice overruled the objection and ordered the FIA DG to proceed with the investigation. When the petitioner informed the court that the FIA had not taken any action, the chief justice issued notices to all respondents.
The petition alleges that the former generals discussed classified information, including the no-confidence motion against former prime minister Imran Khan and civil-military relations, in the interviews with the journalists. The petitioner also claims that the journalists distorted facts in order to enhance the viewership of their articles and that the articles raised certain questions on the conduct of military authorities which required to be probed.
The petitioner claims that the respondents have committed a cognizable offense and are liable to be proceeded against in accordance with the law. The court has adjourned the hearing until a date to be fixed by the registrar's office.
