Joint Action Committee pledges protest, boycott of assemblies sessions over controversial defamation bill

Pakistani media’s various bodies Joint Action Committee met on Saturday against the approval of the controversial Punjab defamation bill by the Governor of Punjab, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

The emergency meeting of various media organizations namely CPNE, APNS, Amond, PBA, PFUJ and Press Club was attended by Irshad Ahmed Arif, Arshad Ansari, Naveed Kashif, Imtan Shahid, Ayaz Khan, Kazim Khan and Muhammad Usman.

The media organizations unanimously termed the Punjab Defamation Bill as anti-human law.

During the meeting, it was unanimously decided that various measures would be taken against the government’s controversial decision.

It was decided that a joint struggle would be started and media outlets would continue the boycott of the government’s events, national and provincial assembly meetings, federal and provincial budget’s coverage besides other activities of the government and coalition parties.

The participants decided to take effective legal action against the controversial bill.

It was unanimously decided that media outlets will hold consultations with opposition parties, human rights organizations and bar councils over the black law.

It was decided that the United Nations and other international human rights organizations will be apprised of the controversial defamation law.

While media organization will stage protests in front of the concerned government offices in phases.