KARACHI (NPTV/IFJ): The past 30 days have seen new legislation and actions by authorities threaten Pakistani freedom of expression, with reports published in local media claiming further internet restrictions are to come.
On 10th day of June (2024) acting Punjab Governor Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan, in power after the previously acting Governor Malik Ahmad Khan left for Dubai, signed and approved the controversial Punjab Defamation bill into law.
On 20th day of May, the Provincial Assembly had ratified the legislation, with protests and condemnations from major political parties, the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) and more than 80 civil society organisations in the aftermath.
The bill has been criticized for its broadly worded provisions that could impose hefty fines and suspend social media accounts or media platforms for content deemed defamatory, with all cases to be tried within 6 months of a complaint.
The bill has already been challenged via a petition registered in the Lahore High Court, with Justice Muhammad Amjad Rafiq ordering on 11th day of June the partial non-enforcement of the bill until a decision on the petition was made.
In an unrelated incident, on 5th day of June SCP issued notices to 34 news channels, with CJP Qazi Faiz Isa seeking a response to the airing of Presser featuring comments criticizing the judiciary.
The coincides with directions from the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) asking news outlets to refrain from airing ‘irresponsible’ coverage of ongoing court cases until a final verdict is reached.
Meanwhile, several Media outlets have reported plans by authorities to install a national firewall system designed to regulate social media platforms, set to operate through Internet Service Providers.
They would control and filter social media data, identify and block possible ‘propaganda’ and restrict access to prohibited content.
Newspakistan.tv