Challenge to PECA Ordinance lands in Islamabad High Court
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The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) on Tuesday challenged amendments to the PECA Law through presidential ordinance in the Islamabad High Court, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
The petition states that the current government is shutting media and unannounced restrictions are being imposed on journalists. The new amended law is aimed at discouraging criticism on the state.
The petition further says that the government had already prepared a draft of the amendments and in order to avoid legislation, the government waited for the end of the National Assembly session and promulgated it through the presidential ordinance.
It has been prayed in the petition that the court should void amendments to the PECA Law after pronouncing that they were against the basic human rights.
On the other hand, the Supreme Court Bar Association has also decided to challenge the PECA Ordinance and amendments to the Election Act in a court of law.
In its statement issued on Tuesday, the SCBA said the PECA Ordinance was an instrument to slit the throats of dissenters and stifle the voice of those who believe in the freedom of expression.
It said those who promulgated this black law, must understand that they should not throw stones while sitting in a glass house. Such restrictions were not imposed even in dictatorial regimes, it added.
The matter of fake news is quite concerning but the government should not take any step that is against the constitution and basic rights.
It further said that amendments to the Election Act was tantamount to pre-poll rigging. Granting members of national and provincial assemblies to run political campaigns would affect the election process, it concluded.
Reporter Amanat Gishkori