ISLAMABAD: The Press Association of the Supreme Court (PAS) on Wednesday announced a complete media boycott of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) in protest against bar’s notice directing journalists to vacate the Supreme Court Press Room within seven days.
The decision was taken during an emergency general body meeting of the PAS held in the Press Room to review what the association termed an “illegal notice” issued by the SCBA on May 12. The general body unanimously passed a resolution declaring the notice a direct attack on freedom of expression and an attempt to curtail media access to the Supreme Court.
The meeting noted that court reporters had been provided office facilities in parliament and superior courts for decades to ensure the public’s constitutional right to information.
It further stated that domestic laws recognize PAS as a legitimate stakeholder, making any attempt to evict journalists from the Press Room a violation of fundamental rights.
The body also maintained that the SCBA had no jurisdiction over the administrative premises of the court and warned the association against what it described as unlawful interference.
Expressing confidence in the assurances of Justice Yahya Afridi, the PAS announced an immediate boycott of the Bar Association’s activities and vowed to resist any eviction attempt while defending the media’s right to free and unhindered access at every level.
