PPP To Join Fight Against PECA Ordinance, Bilawal Assures Journalists

PPP To Join Fight Against PECA Ordinance, Bilawal Assures Journalists
Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has reassured members of the press that his party would challenge the controversial Prevention of Electronic Crime Act (PECA) ordinance and reiterated his commitment to defending media freedom.

Meeting with officials from the National Media Joint Action Committee (JAC) at Bilawal House in Karachi, the PPP chairman indicated his party would challenge the amendments in the court, as well as in parliament and other political and social forums.  He said that the PPP stood by the JAC's manifesto in support of freedom of the press, and pledged his own personal commitment to 'fight for the inalienable fundamental, constitutional and democratic rights of the people of Pakistan.'


https://twitter.com/MediaCellPPP/status/1497244475114020869

The JAC shared its concerns about the 'draconian' measures included in the amendments to the PECA ordinance, claiming that the provisions were an attempt by the PTI government to muzzle social and electronic media and curb the people's right to freedom of speech and expression.

Attendees at the meeting included representatives from the All Pakistan Newspapers Society, Pakistan Broadcasters Association, Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors and Association of Electronic Media Editors and News Directors. PPP Senator Sherry Rehman and Parliamentarians Secretary Information Shazia Marri and Central Secretary Information Faisal Karim Kundi were also in attendance.

Promulgated by the President Arif Alvi on February 20, the Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Ordinance, 2022 seeks to regulate social media and clamp down on ‘fake news’, widening the scope of the law and imposing harsher penalties.