According to details, journalists are protesting against the approval of the PECA Amendment Bill. During the demonstration at the National Press Club, journalists chanted slogans, and journalist organizations displayed banners.
A large number of journalists arrived at the National Press Club to participate in the protest. A heavy police presence was also deployed outside the press club, including a significant number of female officers.
Bhutto’s Soul Would Have Trembled at Zardari’s Signature – Afzal Butt
Addressing the protesting journalists, PFUJ President Afzal Butt said that the Pakistan People’s Party has a history of struggling for press freedom. He recalled that when Bhutto founded the party, he fulfilled the promises made to PFUJ. "Bhutto’s soul would have trembled at Zardari’s signature, and today, even Benazir’s soul must be in anguish," he remarked.
Afzal Butt further stated that former President Pervez Musharraf imposed a ban on all channels, and at that time, Benazir Bhutto had come to their support and promised solidarity. "President Zardari should give us an opportunity to show him which clauses of the bill are unconstitutional and against fundamental rights," he added.
He criticized the president for not returning the bill with objections, stating that the PPP has disappointed journalists. He announced a "Black Day" across the country in response to the president’s decision. During this protest, black flags will be hoisted at press clubs, journalists will wear black armbands while covering political events, and news anchors will also wear black armbands during their shows.
Media Cannot Be Shackled Through PECA – Rana Azeem
PFUJ Secretary-General Rana Azeem said that social media has helped in spreading the truth to the public, though it has also been used for fake news and defamation. He emphasized that while they condemn fake news, a proper mechanism should be established to determine what qualifies as fake news.
He criticized the PECA law, stating that it is unfair to imprison the entire media under its provisions. "Many things that used to be exposed are now being concealed. PECA is against press freedom, and due to social media, the government has been forced to backtrack on certain issues," he added.
Regulating Social Media is the Need of the Hour – Asif Bashir Chaudhry
Journalist leader Asif Bashir Chaudhry, addressing the protest, stated that PECA has now been enacted as a law. Under this law, the government is establishing four institutions whose officials will be handpicked by the government, with no specified tenure for their positions.
He criticized the lack of parliamentary oversight, stating that these institutions should have been formed by a parliamentary committee. "Instead, the government will appoint journalists to tribunals, which raises serious concerns. PFUJ believes that regulating social media is the need of the hour, but not through such restrictive laws," he asserted.
We Did Not Expect the President to Break His Promise – PRA
JUI Senator Kamran Murtaza revealed that during discussions with President Asif Zardari, he had assured them that he would not sign the PECA bill. He stated that in his presence, Maulana Fazlur Rehman had directly spoken to the president, who promised a delay in signing.
The Pakistan Reporters Association (PRA) expressed disappointment over the president’s decision, stating that they did not expect him to break his promise. The PRA also raised concerns about the role of the PPP in parliamentary committees regarding the bill.
During an emergency virtual meeting, PRA condemned the president’s hasty decision, which has caused unrest among the journalist community. It was also disclosed that after meeting with Maulana Fazlur Rehman, the PRA delegation was assured by JUI Senator Kamran Murtaza that the president had promised a delay in signing the bill.
Senator Kamran Murtaza sent an audio message stating that Maulana Fazlur Rehman had spoken with the president and secured an assurance of a delay, and consultations would also be held with Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi.
PRA emphasized that they will continue their struggle against the controversial clauses in the PECA law until their concerns are addressed.
Our Struggle to Pass PECA Amendment Bill Succeeded – Tariq Work
RIUJ President Tariq Work stated that the government passed the bill despite opposition. He noted that even the previous PTI government had attempted to introduce the bill. "Our struggle to pass the bill was successful, and leaders of PML-N, PPP, and Maulana Fazlur Rehman had supported us," he claimed.
He emphasized that journalists must continue their profession, while governments will come and go. "During the PTI era, the current government supported us, but now this bill will affect journalists. No consultations were held with us regarding the bill," he added.
Tariq Work further revealed that the bill was not even on the assembly’s agenda but was passed overnight. "The PFUJ president had started the protest movement yesterday," he concluded.
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