Web Desk
Quetta: Journalists across the country, including Balochistan, staged protests against the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) Amendment Bill, following the call of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ). A protest was held outside the Quetta Press Club, organized by the Balochistan Union of Journalists.
Addressing the protesters, senior journalist and PFUJ Vice President Saleem Shahid said the government is attempting to obstruct press freedom and deprive the public of their fundamental right to access information through the PECA Amendment Bill. He emphasized that such efforts would never succeed.
Saleem Shahid noted that the PECA Amendment Bill aims to impose restrictions on press freedom and has faced severe criticism from all segments of society across the country. He stated that the bill was introduced in Parliament without consulting journalist organizations, which amounts to discriminatory behavior against both journalists and the public.
The protest was also addressed by Quetta Press Club President Abdul Khaliq Rind, senior journalist Rasheed Baloch, labor union leader Abid Butt, and others. They strongly criticized the PECA Amendment Bill and called for clarity on the definition of “fake news” under the proposed legislation. They questioned how the government’s policy against disinformation on social media could be implemented effectively without a clear framework.
The speakers rejected the PECA Amendment Bill and suggested that instead of rushing into new legislation, the government should ensure the implementation of existing media laws already in place.
The protest witnessed participation from journalists, civil society members, labor union representatives, and individuals from other walks of life. The demonstrators carried banners and placards highlighting their demands.
Protesters also chanted slogans against the PECA Amendment Bill and criticized government policies, underscoring their disapproval of the proposed legislation.
