LAHORE:

The Lahore High Court has refrained media houses form conducting interviews of under custody suspects and airing or publishing their statements, ruling that such actions violate the right to fair trial.

The court observed, “A forced and publicised confession is not a justice — it is oppression.”

Justice Ali Zia Bajwa issued an 11-page written verdict on petitions filed by Vishal Shakir against the practice of interviewing suspects under detention. The decision strictly prohibits law enforcement agencies from allowing media personnel to interview anyone in custody.

The court stated that an interview of under-custody suspects damages their dignity and future and directly affects the fairness of the trial. It ruled that any officer who violates this order will face misconduct proc

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