KHYBER: Journalists in Khyber tribal district have rejected Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca) and termed it an attack on independence of journalism.

In a meeting held at Landi Kotal Press Club with president Aman Ali in the chair, they said that the new law was tantamount to forcibly snatching the right of writing from journalists and gagging their voice.

Rejecting Peca, they said that federal government refused to take journalist organisations into confidence and also ignored calls for reasonable amendments to the new law.

The participants of meeting condemned the unserious attitude of federal government and vowed to resist any restriction on their professional responsibilities at every forum.

They threatened to take to streets against the new law while actively participating in any countrywide protest by media organisations.

ANP: Awami National Party organised a large gathering in connection with the death anniversaries of their leaders Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan and Khan Abdul Wali in Bara on Wednesday.

ANP central general secretary Dr Salim Khan, vice president Shahi Khan Sherani, district president Abdur Raziq and other leaders attended the meeting along with a sizeable crowd of supporters.

Speakers on the occasion shed light on the political struggle of both the legendary Pakhtun leaders and said that observing their death anniversaries was meant to spread their philosophy of peace among Pakhtuns, particularly youth.

They said that both the leaders were ardent preachers of non-violence and their struggle against the unjust policies of oppressive and dictatorial rulers were known to everyone, even their political opponents.

They said that participation of a large number of tribesmen, mostly youth, in the death anniversary was a testimony to their love with those universally acclaimed leaders and an acknowledgment of their philosophy of peace and non-violence.

Published in Dawn, January 30th, 2025