The Lahore High Court (LHC) has referred a set of petitions challenging the Punjab Defamation Act 2024 to the chief justice for reconstitution of a bench, following objections raised by the provincial government’s counsel. The legislation, introduced in June 2024, aims to address defamatory content across print, electronic, and social media, but has been widely contested by journalists, civil society, and legal experts. Critics, including the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), argue that the law poses a serious threat to freedom of expression and press freedom by limiting the ability to hold public officials accountable.

During proceedings, petitioners’ lawyers maintained that the law undermines democratic principles, while the government argued procedural grounds for referring the case to the chief justice due to the involvement of tribunal appointments under the Act. The referral has raised concerns about delays in adjudicating a law that has significant implications for media regulation and freedom of expression in Punjab. The outcome of the case is expected to have broader implications for the balance between defamation regulation and constitutional rights in Pakistan.