Balochistan Bar Council blasts 'gagging' PECA ordinance

Representatives of the council demand an immediate withdrawal of the amendment to the media law

QUETTA:

Officials of the Balochistan Bar Council on Tuesday criticised the newly promulgated ordinance amending the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), terming it a plan to gag the freedom of the press.

In their statement, Vice Chairman of the Balochistan Bar Council Qasim Ali Gajzai, Chairman Executive Committee, Ayun Tareen, Inter-provincial chairman Rahib Khan Baledi advocate and Chairman Human Rights Divisions Amanullah Kakar said the incumbent government is a 'factory of ordinances', terming the behaviour anti-democratic.

They observed that legislation is parliament's prerogative and accused the PTI government of attempting to turn the legislative forum a 'rubber stamp parliament'.

They feared that "such an attitude will push the country further towards instability. "The country is faced with political and economic crises due to the selected rulers."

The council officials further said the ordinance was meant to suppress the voice of truth and human rights.

Also read: Govt defends PECA move amid heavy criticism

According to them, all should be held answerable to the masses. "Suppression, violence and arrests won't make institutions stronger, but will rather plunge to destruction."

Rejecting the ordinance, the provincial bar council demanded from the government. an immediate withdrawal of the same.

Last week, the government made changes to two laws that would pave the way for penalising defamation against the army, judiciary, public servants and government institutions as well as allowing lawmakers and others to visit and address public gatherings during election campaigns.

An ordinance, criminalising defamation against the civil and military institutions, as well as public office-holders, is being promulgated on the heels of Prime Minister Imran Khan’s expression of dismay over malicious social media campaign, targeting him, ministers and other important personalities.

The move came amid the government’s attempt to curb the spread of “fake news” and strengthen defamation laws. An official privy to the development told The Express Tribune that defamation cases would be decided within six months.