ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) on Wednesday condemned the introduction of amendments to the Pakistan Electronic Crimes Act (Peca) 2016, calling it a “betrayal” by Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar.

PFUJ President Afzal Butt and Sec­retary General Arshad Ansari denou­n­ced the amendments as “unwanted” and “against the spirit of the constitution”.

In a statement, they argued that the changes are a deliberate attempt to suppressing the media, social media, and the media community in the country.

Body calls it a ‘betrayal’ by information minister

The PFUJ leadership said the minister had promised to share the draft amendments with stakeholders, including the PFUJ. They expressed the disappointment that he had failed to do so by design.

They said that by tabling the amendment bill in the National Assembly the government had “ditched” the entire media industry, allegedly at the behest of invisible hands.

The PFUJ reiterated its commitment to upholding the constitutional right to the freedom of press and expression, stating that it will be “safeguarded at all costs”.

The union urged the government to withdraw the draft amendment bill immediately and share it with stakeholders for a meaningful debate before its final adoption.

The PFUJ threatened that if the draft amendments are not withdrawn, a countrywide protest drive will be launched by the journalist community to block the bill.

Published in Dawn, January 23rd, 2025