Daily Times
April 9, 2021
In an apparent reference to a new proposed bill that criminalises criticism of Pakistan’s armed forces, Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry Thursday said that he feels that such a move is an “absolutely ridiculous idea”.
Though Chaudhry, in his post on Twitter, does not name the bill, his remarks come a day after the bill was approved by the National Assembly Standing Committee on Interior. Under the proposed amendment, critics of the Pakistan armed forces will face two years in jail as well as fines worth up to Rs500,000. Chaudhry’s tweet came in response to a post by senior journalist Mazhar Abbas who wrote that while a citizen in Pakistan is free to criticise democracy, free to criticise parliament, free to criticise politicians, and free to criticise media, the rest is chalked up to “national interest”.
Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry has opposed the introduction of new laws to quell criticism. DawnNewsTV/File
Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry on Thursday said it was an absolutely ridiculous idea to criminalise criticism, a day after a National Assembly panel approved a bill that proposes a two-year prison sentence and a hefty fine for those who intentionally ridicule the armed forces.
Though Chaudhry did not directly reference the bill in his tweet, his remarks came in reaction to a tweet by senior journalist Mazhar Abbas who, while apparently commenting on the bill passed by the NA committee, wrote that citizens were free to criticise the parliament, politicians and media but the rest is national interest .
Pakistan minister slams bill seeking prison for army critics
by Munir Ahmed, The Associated Press
Posted Apr 8, 2021 2:37 pm EDT
Last Updated Apr 8, 2021 at 2:44 pm EDT
ISLAMABAD A Pakistani Cabinet minister on Thursday slammed a proposed bill that would punish criticism of the military with two-year prison terms and hefty fines, saying the legislation drafted by a parliamentary panel was ridiculous.
The minister for science and technology, Fawad Chaudhry, who is also a senior leader in the ruling Tehreek-e-Insaf party, took to Twitter to denounce the proposed bill, a day after a special committee of the National Assembly approved it and sent the draft on for presentation in parliament. Opposition lawmakers oppose the bill.
Absolutely ridiculous idea, says Fawad Chaudhry on criminalisation of criticism thenews.com.pk - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from thenews.com.pk Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Fawad Chaudhry thinks criminalising criticism an absolutely ridiculous idea By
Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry. APP/File
Fawad Chaudhry, in an apparent reference to a bill proposing stricter punishment for anyone criticising the armed forces, says criminalising criticism an absolutely ridiculous idea .
Tweet comes after journalist questions why we can criticise democracy, parliament, politicians and media but the rest is national interest .
Minister for Human Rights Shireen Mazari backs Chaudhry s views.
Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry on Thursday, in an apparent reference to a new proposed bill that criminalises criticism of Pakistan s armed forces, said that he feels that such a move is an absolutely ridiculous idea .