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IT would be comical — if it weren’t for the fact that it so perfectly encapsulates how shrunken the space for free speech and expression in Pakistan now truly is. More alarming still is the seeming enthusiasm of civil authorities to take a page out of the fascist’s playbook to hasten the demise of civil liberties.
The notification of an inquiry — lodged by the FIA’s cybercrime wing citing a directive from the interior ministry — against several journalists and groups for participating in a “targeted social media campaign” to criticise the Saudi crown prince during his recent visit to Pakistan has been decried and derided in equal parts since it came to light. Even officials within the ministry and FIA have expressed confusion about how to proceed, since there is (as yet) no statute under which to prosecute citizens for expressing solidarity with and sharing images of slain journalists such as Jamal Khashoggi.
Whether or not the FIA is merely rubber-stamping, it points to an increasing misuse of the investigatory body as a literal thought police to control and silence online voices, which dovetails with a general escalation in abuses of power to gag the press and curtail fundamental rights of free speech, expression and information.
It is even more puzzling since only days prior to the delegation’s February visit, another circular issued by the ministry alluding to “nefarious interests” keen on “maligning” the Saudi prince was leaked — and denounced by the minister of state for interior, who said that the government was investigating the matter “as per the directives” of the prime minister.
While the findings of that probe have yet — if ever — to be shared, the fact that no official wishes to claim the animus for either this or the resurrected attempt to target independent and critical voices is positively Kafkaesque. With truth so much stranger than fiction, perhaps it is futile — even dangerous — to demand who really is behind Pakistan’s draconian descent, with all its attendant absurdities.
Published in Dawn, March 30th, 2019
Comments (34) Closed
This is the beginning of IK era and it's going to get worse in coming days....
Our present govt has no tolerance for opposing views & criticism, & that is an alarming situation for all Pakistanis, such steps are against the spirit of democracy.
Freedom of speech is a fundamental building block of a stable and progressive society - our government should not forget that
will they be able to muzzle the social media too?
when media is free to speak, some of the news that may effect reputation of our country also circulates everywhere and then what remains other than shame? media has a big responsibility at his shoulders regarding country image. i remembered when indian media was daily making news of toilets and raps but all of a sudden, their media had stopped sharing such content and you see, no body make fun of them for toilets and rapes. So better for media to behave in a manner that your news would not make us shameful in front of indians who troll us at the news our media shares.
IK should run another 10 years than PK will right track
@Amit, yes for those who are working against State and Country..in the name of democracy and free speech...
To gauge freedom of speech from hate formenting is as simple as going to the Journalists Twitter page. When you see the top pinned comment, you know exactly what the abroad living journalists is like from the inside.
Good at criticising others but no freedom at home !
All the negative comments are either from neighbouring trolls or opposition parties of the country. They can not digest the reality of the job PTI is doing.,
I think our media need to get mature and cooperate with LEAs as why and who did this campaign... What's wrong with that ?.
Free reign for our media where our journalists are not educated and have hired guns who write for them... cannot be and should not be allowed free.
We have more unverified journalists in Pak than people serving jails.
@Saif Zulfiqar, try to digest facts.
@Shib, don't know how Pakistan becomes weak if journalists show solidarity with a Saudi journalist Jamal Khashogi who was slain, cut into pieces and burnt on the directions of the Saudi crown prince, inside the premises of Saudi embassy in Turkey. A really shameful act by FIA
@Saif Zulfiqar, because PTI supporters are blind followers. Instead of supporting ideology, they keep supporting personalities.
@Jacky, the facts are that for the first time in Pakistans history there is a leader who puts the country and its poor people first. The rich and the corrupt are sponsoring certain journalists and media for their own ends. Media is not above the law in the name of freedom of expression. It appears that many Journalists are corrupt and on pay roll of certain elements that want to destabilise the country.
Good grill them for critising Gov. Need to ban all media channels who speak against Gov.
@Naima , that's what our media deserve...
@Amit, ... sooner thee better
@AW, ... where is journalism and journalists ?
If Pakistan wants to progress, if cannot do so with a muzzle. Freedom of expression in inherent with progress, muzzling people leads to stagnation. We need progress not stagnation.
@Amit, No, this is against the Lifafa Journalists who still exists, they are got plots, travelled a lot, mercedes and some has even Villas and Dubai, that must be investigated and brought to justice. No journalists will be harmed.
Lifafa Journalism must be investigated, we had a lot, unfortunately, they sold their source of earning bread and butter.
Censorship on an appalling scale...
Gordon D. Walker
Canada
Use of this clause to restrict freedom of expression is condemned, why MBS who is the main character in Khashogi killing should not be criticized for this merciless killing. Doesn't matter if he is criwn prince, crime is a crime simply.
Are journalists above law
Freedom of speech comes with a price; it must not harm the state. If it does, it's akin to causing trouble.
It is obvious that IK is a glorified dictator and continued government decadence is assured
The meddling media should be muzzled for good for intervening in causes that is valuable to national interests. Freedom of expression and speech does not supersede national interest!!
our salvation and future lies in RCD the concept and cooperation we envisioned and gave up for OUR MASTERS of old who are fading away like that cowboy riding into sunset. For our writers and thinkers to write freely,is something we should appericate .
In a society where even lecturers and teachers accept bribes it will not be uncomon for Journalists to accept bribes from politicians.So do not be surprised if FIA investigations lead to arrest of few well know Journalists.
IK has lived and worked in the western world so he knows that freedom of speech is a fundamental right and his Govt. will not act against honest journalists only corrupt ones will be prosecuted
@Amit, will however be better then Modi era
@Waqas Ahmed,
Saudi interest is not our national interest.
Secondly the minute you start censoring the press you are slowly but steadily moving to a dictatorship and not an open democratic society where free speech and free press are tundamental
@Bitter truth, yes but money makes you weak. IK accepted financial help from Saudis. The money comes with obligations. The time has now come for us to earn that money. Find at we censor our media. Next? Who knows.
Its not journalist who worried for their expressions but the persons and media houses hiding behind them playing the shots