Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhary Fawad Hussain says special division benches be established in district and provincial Courts to pursue cases related to defamation so that dignity and liberty of person provided under the Constitution of Pakistan be ensured in letter and spirit.

Addressing a news conference in Islamabad on Thursday, he said no one should be allowed to defame any person or institution through baseless allegations.

Referring to the allegations levelled by Justice Retd Wajeeh ud Din Ahmed against the Prime Minister, he said it is very unfortunate that the sanctity of this dignified office has not been maintained and even some media outlets became part of this smear campaign.                 

He said it has been decided to initiate criminal proceedings against Wajeeh ud Din Ahmed.

The Minister for Information said notices have been issued to those TV channels which aired these fake news.

He said the government appeals to the judiciary to ensure the dignity of institutions as unfortunately the defamation cases in courts are not taken and pursued seriously.

Chaudhary Fawad Hussain said the media laws proposed by government are those which are internationally implemented and laws have become necessary to curtail this unabated maligning on media.    

He said if strict action is not taken these fake news will weaken the entire system of state.