Pakistani media stakeholders have widely condemned the presidential ordinance amending the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) laws, which they claim will stifle the flow of information in the country and limit free, independent, and responsible media. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and its Pakistan affiliate, the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), demand that the ordinance be repealed immediately.
On January 7, the Islamabad High Court will frame contempt charges against The News International’s owner, Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman, and two of its staff, Aamir Ghauri and Ansar Abbasi, for publishing an affidavit accusing Pakistan’s former Chief Justice, Saqib Nisar, of corruption. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) is concerned by the court s decision to commence punitive proceedings against journalists and calls for the annulment of all charges.
Pakistan’s Senate passed a new Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals Bill, drafted in consultation with journalists’ organisations and union groups. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and its Pakistan affiliate, the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), welcome the passing of the long-awaited legislation and call for the government to engage with the media to increase the bill’s effectiveness and ensure proper implementation.