Fawad says ready to withdraw PECA tweak

Ministers asks Punjab speaker to mediate between media, govt

LAHORE:

Punjab Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi telephoned Federal Minister for Information Fawad Chaudhry and discussed with him important matters, including the Prevention of Electronic Crime Act (PECA) law.

During their talks, Elahi conveyed his thanks to Prime Minister for enquiring about the health of Chuadhry Shujaat Hussain during his Lahore visit the other day. Elahi also apprised the minister of the concerns of the media parties about the PECA law.

Fawad Chaudhry said that Punjab Assembly Speaker should play the role of mediator between the media and the government on the PECA law. He said that the government firmly believed in the freedom of expression.

Read: Punjab speaker, JI chief back journalists’ struggle against PECA

“We are working on effective regulation,” Chaudhry said. “The government welcomes criticism but launching personal attacks on anyone under the guise of criticism was not right,” he added. He assured that the government would implement whatever matters, the speaker settled with the media parties.

Talking to a private TV channel, Fawad Chaudhry also said that “we are ready to withdraw” the controversial PECA Amendment Ordinance, adding: “We have given full authority to Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi and we will do what he says, we will not object.”

The minister also said that it would be better if an advisory committee set a timeframe and present a final outline within the stipulated time. “Pervaiz Elahi had been given the full mandate about the PECA Amendment Ordinance,” he added.

Read: PBA, journalist bodies move IHC against PECA ordinance

Chaudhry said in a tweet that the two demands of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) contradicted each other. He said that on the one hand they were saying that legal action should be taken against those running social media campaign, but on the other they were saying that there should be no law. “First decide what do you want,” he asked.