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Express Tribune
30-03-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Analysts say blaming PTI won't help resolve problem
Some key political analysts believe that the ruling PML-N wants to put the burden of its failure on the beleaguered PTI by blaming the policies of its past governments in the Centre and the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa provinces for the recent resurgence of terrorism in the country. As the country witnessed an upsurge in terrorism, especially in the K-P and Balochistan province, the PML-N led governments' in the Centre and Punjab have intensified their criticism of the PTI for allegedly implementing policies that contributed to resurgence of terrorism in Pakistan. Just recently, PML-N's Talal Chaudary accused the PTI of providing safe haven to terrorists. He alleged that the PTI's policies of giving white gloved treatment to terrorists resulted in bringing terrorism back to Pakistan. The PML-N led provincial government in Punjab also routinely takes swipes at the PTI and its K-P government for "patronizing terrorists". Senior political analyst Mazhar Abbas said the responsibility to control terrorism rests with the incumbent PML-N government and the attempt to shift the blame onto the PTI is "lame and unfortunate". "This behavior of the politicians of both treasury and opposition benches comes in the way of forging a national consensus. If one is to go by the PML-N's claim that it was the PTI's policy of resettling three to four thousand former militants in the K-P that resulted in resurgence of terror, then the government must reveal how many of those that it squarely blames for resurgence of terrorism have been arrested." He said if the PML-N sincerely believes that the PTI government's policies are to blame, then they do not register a case against the former army chief Gen (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa and army bosses, who were the main people calling the shots then. Abbas said the government has thus far failed to get at the bedrock of the issue. Situation in terror-hit areas has deteriorated to a point where many areas have become inaccessible. He said the night-time traveling restriction in Balochistan speaks volumes about the government failure in battling the situation. He said the PTI has a certain position regarding Taliban, but in the past after the APS incident, Imran Khan did attend the APC and budged from his position, allowing the government of the day to delineate a National Action Plan. Senior anchor Habib Akram, who recently was taken off air reportedly for his views, said the PML-N in the past used to blame the PPP for terrorism now it blames the PTI. He said during a public address ahead of 2013 polls, Shehbaz Sharif, then Punjab chief minister, had urged terrorists to attack those who were pro-American, declaring that the PML-N was actually anti-American. He said back then the PML-N led Punjab government blamed the then K-P government for terrorism, an accusation that used to incense people of the province. He said even today the PML-N is following the same playbook. He said accusing an already embattled PTI was merely political expediency, as they want to settle a political score and draw the attention away from the actual issue. He said security for long has remained the military establishment's exclusive domain, so how can one political party be accused of implementing any policy on its own. He said accusing PTI founder Imran Khan of the rise in terrorism, also helps the PML-N to paint the PTI and Imran in a bad light globally. Senior political analyst Hasan Askari Rizvi said PML-N leaders are habitual of bashing PTI in all their public addresses. He said the situation has come to a point where he does not see stability in the coming few years. Askari said Balochistan and the K-P issues are vastly different. In Balochistan, there is a sense of alienation, while in the K-P, there is terrorism. The people of former FATA, however, also feel that the government has not done anything for their rehabilitation. He said curbing terrorism is the federal government's responsibility, and the PTI led K-P government cannot be squarely blamed for it. "by PTI bashing, the government is deflecting the blame from those who are actually responsible," he added.
Times of Oman
30-01-2025
- Politics
- Times of Oman
Pakistan journalists rally against PECA amendments, decry 'Civilian Martial Law'
Islamabad: The Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Amendment) Bill 2025 and the Digital Nation Pakistan Bill 2024, which seek to establish a digital economy, society, and governance, were adopted by the upper house on Tuesday despite protests from the opposition benches according to a report by Geo News. The Senate also approved the revisions on Wednesday after it was already passed in the National Assembly. The changes are intended to tighten the noose around people who spread false information and fake news on social media, the government said according to Geo News. The journalism community staged nationwide demonstrations against the "controversial" Prevention of Electronic Crimes (PECA) (Amendment) Bill 2025 on Tuesday. After labelling the PECA law "controversial" due to "lack of clarity" in several legal elements, including the term "fake news," the journalist organisation joined forces in nationwide protests against controversial changes to the law, Geo News reported. Media professionals worry that the altered law may affect press freedom and be used to target them as well. The media community was also incensed at the current administration for enacting the modifications without seeking their input or taking them seriously. Geo News reported that many journalists, attorneys, and members of civil society took part in the agitation organized by the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) outside the National Press Club in Islamabad yesterday, as protests spread throughout the nation's major towns. While chanting anti-PECA Act slogans at the rally, the journalists were observed protesting by wearing chains as per a report by Geo News. Once the protesters arrived near D-Chowk, the rally took the form of a sit-in. Speaking to the participants, the president of PFUJ made it clear that while they did not oppose rules, no one would be permitted to undermine the nation's freedom of expression. Geo News reported that barbed wire was put up and large police contingents were sent to D-Chowk in an attempt to halt the demonstrators' movement. Journalists attempted to break through police-erected obstacles to continue their march but were injured when they attempted to remove the barbed wire. The PFUJ leader was also prevented from leading the march to the Red Zone, where he was tried to be detained by some police officers. Senior journalist Mazhar Abbas, addressing the protest rally, said, "This is the beginning of a historical struggle against a civilian martial law as the first attack was carried out on the judiciary and the second on media." Expressing outrage over the PECA tweaks, he claimed that digital media has been targeted since 2016 and slammed the rulers, saying: "Fake news is not an issue but the actual issue is reporting news" as quoted by Geo News. Abbas further said that some state elements wanted to keep journalism under their control and warned stakeholders not to compromise on the new tweaks, "otherwise, everyone would be controlled".
Express Tribune
28-01-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Media fraternity up in arms against PECA amendments
KARACHI: The joint action committee of media bodies staged a protest demonstration in front of the Karachi Press Club on Tuesday in response to an appeal from the Pakistan Federation of Union of Journalists (PFUJ) against a recent amendment in the Pakistan Electronic Crimes Act (PECA). Representatives from various media organisations, civil society groups, trade unions, lawyers' groups and teachers joined and supported the protest. The PECA, a law enacted in 2016, was passed by lower and upper houses, aimed at addressing cybercrime and regulating electronic communication in Pakistan. It was meant to combat online offences such as hacking, data theft, and cyberbullying. Many journalists and media organisations have raised concerns regarding its implications on press freedom and freedom of expression. "The government has to learn the lessons as it was earlier used against the same party, which had passed the law in a haste," commented Mazhar Abbas, a senior member of PFUJ. Prominent figures, including journalists, media owners, editors, and workers from organisations such as PFUJ, Karachi Union of Journalists (KUJ), Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA), Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE), and others addressed the protesters. Among those who spoke on the occasion, included KUJ President Tahir Hassan Khan, senior PFUJ leaders Saeed Sarbazi Lala Asad, Imtiaz Khan Faran, Azhar Abbas, trade unions leader Nasir Mansoor, Prof. Tauseef, Rahman Korani of Karachi Bar Association and Athar Qazi. The speakers condemned the government's approach to media regulation and passage of the amendment in a haste without consulting the stakeholders. KUJ leader Imtiaz Khan Faran highlighted that special laws are being enacted to control the media landscape. He questioned why the government had not engaged in dialogue with media bodies regarding these changes, labeling it a conspiracy against working journalists. Mazhar Abbas characterized the situation as a 'civilian martial law'. He urged the joint action committee to advocate for the repeal of PECA, stating that they would not compromise on their rights. Azhar Abbas called for unity among media organisations to demonstrate collective strength to the government. PBA representative Qazi Ather reaffirmed the commitment to safeguarding press freedom, stating that they would not allow their voices to be suppressed. Lala Asad announced plans for a long march to Islamabad as part of their ongoing struggle against oppressive laws. KUJ President Tahir Hassan Khan reiterated that journalists' bodies would not accept what he termed a 'Draconian Law'.
