A judge of the Peshawar High Court has emphasised that both the government and the opposition must tolerate criticism at each other.
The judge made these remarks as a division bench of the court, comprising Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim and Justice Waqar Ahmed, presided over a hearing concerning a notice issued by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to MNA Shandana Gulzar of the Sunni Ittehad Council.
The MNA, the additional advocate general, and FIA officials appeared in the court.
During the hearing, Justice Ibrahim questioned the urgency of the case, particularly given Shandana Gulzar's status as an elected MNA.
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"What are these allegations? How many accusations do we make against each other every day," he remarked further, adding that the FIA notice mentioned allegations against the state, however, there was nothing related to that in the case.
Justice Waqar Ahmed also asked if nobody could criticise a politician.
"If the issues were only criticism and YouTube, then only cases related to them will remain in courts," Justice Ibrahim stated, adding that both the government and the opposition should tolerate criticism from each other.
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Justice Ahmed asked that if someone criticises the provincial chief minister, will there be action against them too.
"You should tolerate and they should have tolerated it too," Justice Ibrahim stated.
In response to these discussions, the court extended the stay order to suspend FIA proceedings against Shandana Gulzar, providing temporary relief from the notice issued against her.
