ISLAMABAD: A Senate committee has asked all relevant institutions for information on the arrest of Quetta-based journalist Zafarullah Achakzai under the Pakistan Electronic Crimes Act within a week.

According to a formal response, submitted to the Senate Standing Committee on Information Broadcasting and National Heritage by the Ministry of Information, Mr Achakzai was arrested on June 28 and granted bail on July 6.

Senator Farhatullah Babar said during the meeting that this response was inadequate, and demanded more information on the specific charges brought against the journalist.

The principal information officer informed the committee that his tentative inquiries had revealed that Mr Achakzai was arrested by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) based on a complaint by a “security-related institution” for alleged involvement in activities that went against the integrity of the federation.

Standing committee discusses amendment to Pemra Act seeking end to promotion of ‘home remedies’ on morning shows

Senator Babar, however, took exception to the response and sought more details. He said recently passed right to information legislation had struck a balance between national security considerations and the public’s right to know, and every post on social media could not be declared a national security issue.

He said the details were important as, while no one is allowed to breach national security, security institutions also are not allowed to stifle dissent and alternate opinions behind the facade of national security.

Senator Babar said that it is mandatory under the electronic crimes act for the FIA to submit a biannual report to parliament, which has not been done.

He said that the FIA should be asked pointedly to provide complete information with respect to the journalist’s arrest and bail. He added that media reports circulating at the time were startling and it was important to fully investigate the matter.

The standing committee also considered amendments to the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) Act, introduced by Muttahida Qaumi Movement Senator Mian Mohammad Ateeq Shaikh.

In the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Bill 2017, Senator Shaikh has proposed amending the Pemra Act to end the promotion of skin whitening formulas and alternative medicines, including what he called “nuskhajaat” (prescriptions) and “totkay” (home remedies), on morning television, as they were harmful.

“Guests invited on morning shows are actors and models, and not certified and experienced practitioners promoting the use of herbal prescriptions and home remedies passed down by grandmothers that are not authenticated by research and science. Such prescriptions by uncertified and unqualified individuals can be injurious to health,” he said.

PPP Senator Sassui Palijo expressed similar reservations about religious programmes, where unqualified individuals are invited to give their interpretations of religion that were possibly unsubstantiated.

The committee observed that such shows have penetrated the daily lives of viewers, without which the ratings of entertainment channels would fall. They also said morning shows did not offer productive or innovative content, and as the quality of such programmes deteriorated, the more they attempted to be unique.

After discussing the proposed amendment, the committee decided that members should give their views in writing and to invite comments from the Law Division.

Published in Dawn, October 13th, 2017