No Live Streaming; Supreme Court of Pakistan on NAB Amendment Case

ISLAMABAD – The Supreme Court of Pakistan has justified its decision to reject the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government’s request for live streaming the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) amendment case hearings, citing concerns over political point-scoring.

In a detailed verdict issued on Saturday, the top court emphasized that broadcasting court proceedings involving politicians could be exploited for political gains. The decision was made following a plea from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, which sought live streaming of the NAB amendment case hearing.

The Supreme Court highlighted that when political figures, such as Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, are involved, there is a significant risk of the hearings being used for political purposes unrelated to the appeals. This concern was a key factor in the court’s decision to dismiss the application.

The court’s 4-1 verdict, delivered on May 30, saw Justice Athar Minallah dissenting from the majority judgment. The five-member bench, led by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, included Justice Amin-ud-Din Khan, Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail, Justice Minallah, and Justice Hasan Azhar Rizvi.

• Political Exploitation Risk: The court underscored the potential misuse of live broadcasts for political point-scoring, which could undermine the judicial process.
• Irrelevant Matters Raised: The verdict noted that Imran Khan, during his address to the court on May 30, mentioned several issues unrelated to the NAB amendment appeals, including past elections and his incarceration.
• Fair Trial Concerns: The court expressed that discussing matters not under consideration could influence public perception and affect the rights of individuals not present in the court, thereby impacting their right to a fair trial and due process.

The Supreme Court’s ruling reflects its commitment to ensuring the proper administration of justice by preventing the misuse of court proceedings for political purposes. The decision highlights the judiciary’s role in maintaining the integrity of the legal process, especially in cases involving high-profile political figures.