KARACHI: Journalists’ organisations have vowed that they will not accept any restrictions on freedom of expression and demanded the repeal of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca), calling for an end to all curbs on the media.

The demands were made during a dialogue organised by the Karachi Union of Journalists (Dastoor) at the Karachi Press Club (KPC) on Saturday to discuss the shrinking space for free expression and the growing number of layoffs in media outlets.

The participants expressed concern over the “atmosphere of fear and unofficial restrictions on freedom of speech in the country.”

They said such conditions were harmful to Pakistan’s democratic system and called on the authorities to ensure a safe working environment and economic security for journalists.

Representatives of various journalist bodies and senior media professionals attended the event, including Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) Joint Secretary Maqsood Yousufi, Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists-Dastoor Secretary A.H. Khanzada, Professor Saleem Mughal, Chairperson of the Department of Mass Communication at Allama Iqbal Open University, Dr Yasmeen Farooqi, Karachi Union of Journalists-Dastoor (KUJ-D) President Nasrullah Chaudhry, Secretary Rehan Khan Chishti, KPC President Fazil Jamili, Secretary Aslam Khan, KUJ President Tahir Hassan Khan, KUJ Secretary Lubna Jarrar Naqvi and senior journalists Mazhar Abbas and Amir Latif.

The speakers said journalism exists to bring the truth before the public, but media professionals were currently facing severe challenges. They criticised media organisations for dismissing employees despite receiving substantial advertising revenues and said many journalists were struggling with financial difficulties.

The participants called for unity among journalists’ organisations to effectively address professional and economic issues. They also encouraged unemployed journalists to learn modern technologies and new skills, saying that opportunities in digital media could help reduce unemployment in the profession.

The gathering agreed to strengthen the Joint Action Committee to continue efforts to protect journalists’ rights and freedom of expression.

Published in Dawn, June 14th, 2026