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PFUJ Slams PICA Act, Punjab Defamation Law as Anti-Press
PFUJ says the PICA Act and Punjab's Defamation Law are choking press freedom. Urges federal and Punjab govts to respect journalists' rights and scrap "black laws".
ND
by News Desk
2025-05-03
PFUJ Slams PICA Act, Punjab Defamation Law as Anti-Press

The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has condemned the federal government's Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PICA) and the Punjab Defamation Law, calling them draconian measures aimed at stifling freedom of the press.

In a joint statement issued on Saturday, PFUJ Acting President Khalid Khokhar and Secretary General Arshad Ansari warned that press freedom in Pakistan is under serious threat.

They stated that both the PICA Act and Punjab’s newly proposed defamation law represent “black laws” that are being used to curb journalistic independence and silence dissenting voices.

"The struggle against such oppressive legislation must continue," the PFUJ leaders said, adding that journalists across the country would not remain silent in the face of these growing threats.

They demanded that the federal and Punjab governments immediately withdraw these laws and engage in dialogue with media stakeholders to ensure that press freedom is protected in line with democratic principles.

The PFUJ also urged civil society, human rights organisations, and international media watchdogs to take notice of the deteriorating situation for journalists in Pakistan.

 
Tagged:

PressFreedom

DefamationLaw

JournalismUnderAttack

PICAAct

PFUJ
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