MQM-P vows to support JAC on press freedom

Media body terms PECA tweak a curb on the fundamental right to freedom of expression

KARACHI:

A delegation of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) in a meeting with the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan leadership on Saturday termed the recent amendment to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) via an ordinance “a curb on the fundamental right to freedom of expression”.

The JAC of media organisations called on MQM-P convener Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui and Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Syed Aminul Haq at the party’s central office at Bahadurabad in Karachi.

The members of delegation included representatives of AEMEND, CPNE, PBA, APNS and PFUJ. Those who attended the meeting included Tahir A Khan, Dr Jabbar Khattak, Amir Mehmood, Shakeel Masud, Nazafreen Saigol, Shahab Zuberi, Ijazul Haque, Hafiz Tariq, Zahid Mazhar, Shahab Mahmoud, member Rabta Committee and Sindh Assembly Javed Hanif and office bearers of MQM-P information department.

The meeting held a detailed discussion on the recent PECA amendment ordinance. The JAC delegation expressed reservations, declaring the move a curb on the fundamental right to freedom of expression.

Expressing MQM-P’s stance on the PECA amendment ordinance, Siddiqui maintained that his party always stood by the journalist community in difficult times. “The MQM-P will never support any step to gag the media.”

Read MQM-P leader asks PM Imran to drop idea of amending PECA

Haq, while referring to his letter written to Prime Minister Imran Khan, called for taking all stakeholders on board on the PECA ordinance.

Siddiqui noted that the MQM-P had been a victim of “heinous propaganda” through false and baseless news.

He said only effective legislation through consultation could guarantee a strong media where protection of individual rights and freedom of expression was possible.

He said the MQM-P was ready to become the voice of media on every platform and that the party would raise the issue in parliament and extend cooperation for the freedom of expression.

Haq expressed the hope that PM Imran, after understanding the gravity of the situation, would hold a meeting with all stakeholders, and pave the way to address the issue after listening to the concerns of journalist circles.

The participants of the meeting expressed gratitude towards Siddiqui and Haq for writing the letter to PM Imran and adopting a “clear stance” in favour of freedom of press.