A three-member bench of the Supreme Court ordered that notices issued by the Federal Investigation Agency to journalists for criticism on the judiciary.

Led by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, the bench also included Justice Aminuddin Khan and Justice Musarrat Hilali. The proceedings were held after the court took up a petition against notices issued by FIA to dozens of journalists.

Office bearers from the Journalists Association of Supreme Court appeared in the hearing while Attorney General Mansoor Awan represented the government.

Justice Isa remarked that the country is damged if a mockery is made of the judiciary. However, he added that journalists should not be harassed or intimidated just because they criticised something.

The chief justice also said that cases should not be filed against journalist for merely expressing right to free speech.

This story is being updated.