YouTubers insult others to make money, says Justice Musarrat Hilali

Justice Musarrat Hilali, a member of a three-member Supreme Court bench led by CJP Qazi Faez Isa, while hearing a case about Federal Investigation Agency's notices to journalists, remarked YouTubers insult others only to make money.

"Our misfortune is that many people have quit working, and they earn their livelihood from YouTube by insulting others. They have no concern for the dignity of the country, which is a matter of great sorrow and distress."

Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court directed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to immediately withdraw the notices issued to journalists in the matter pertaining to a “malicious campaign” against the judiciary and the institutions on social media.

The chief justice remarked that he is strongly against curtailing criticism as freedom of the press is enshrined in the Constitution. “I don't care if you make fun of me, but if you make fun of the judiciary, the country will suffer. You can criticise the Supreme Court, but the Constitution also has some limitations,” he said.

“If you think that you are benefiting me or the Supreme Court by stopping criticism, then you are harming [the institution],” CJP Isa remarked.

The FIA cybercrime wing on Saturday summoned 65 people, including various journalists and social media activists, for allegedly running a “malicious campaign” against the judges and the institutions on Jan 30 and 31.

After the decision of the SC against the PTI intra-party elections, which stripped it of its iconic electoral symbol – the cricket bat, a malicious campaign against the judges and the institutions was reportedly launched on social media.

Journalists and social media activists who have been issued notices include journalists Cyril Almeida, Shaheen Sohbai, Adeel Mahmood Raja, Syed Samar Abbas, Asad Ali Toor, Matiullah Jan, Muhammad Siddique Jan and Muhammad Sabir Shakir.