ISLAMABAD: A joint committee of Pakistani media bodies on Tuesday said it had suspended its dialogue with the government over a new social media law, as the legislation was challenged in a Pakistani court, local media reported.
The government recently introduced through an ordinance an amendment to section 20 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016, which criminalizes sharing “defamatory” and “fake” content on social media but is widely viewed as a tool to silence critics of the government. The government denies this.
The new amendment increases the jail term for defaming any person or institution on social media from two years to five years, according to the Pakistani information minister. It makes it mandatory for courts to decide cases within six months, and has made the offense non-bailable.
A joint committee of Pakistani media bodies has taken a tough stance on the amendments and described the government’s engagement with the journalist bodies over the laws as a “farce,” the Express Tribune reported.
“The dialogue with the government over the legislation regarding media was being suspended ‘until the draconian amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) are reversed’,” the report quoted the joint action committee (JAC) of media outlets as saying.
“The information minister [Chaudhry Fawad Hussain] is toying with the media fraternity in the guise of engagement and keeps passing ordinances against freedom of speech while giving the impression that media fraternity is being engaged.”
The JAC comprises All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS), Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE), Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA) and Association of Electronic Media Editors and News Directors (AEMEND).
It said there was a grave trail of examples after an example where the information ministry was “tampering with freedom of speech, muzzling the journalists right to report, financially crippling media to influence journalism.”
“The fraternity had warned of this before and appealed to the PM previously as well that a dangerous trend had been emerging which is creating a distance between the government and the public as well as the media workers,” the statement said.
Hussain has not as yet commented on the remarks of the joint committee.
Meanwhile, the recently passed PECA Ordinance 2022 was challenged in the Lahore and Islamabad high courts on Tuesday, with the petitions claiming the ordinance was a “sheer violation” of not only the judgments passed by the apex court but also the Constitution of Pakistan.
The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) challenged the amendments in the Islamabad High Court (IHC), requesting the court to declare the ordinance “unconstitutional and null and void.”
PFUJ counsel Adil Uzair Qazi filed the petition that said the Constitution of Pakistan provided complete freedom of expression and while the world was decriminalizing defamation, the government was acting against journalists, SAMAA TV reported.
“One day after the Senate session, the government made amendments to the PECA law through an ordinance,” the petition read, according to the report.
“The government had already prepared the draft, they were just waiting for the session to end so they could circumvent the due legislative process.”
A meeting of the National Assembly could have been convened to amend the PECA Act, but the haste of the government showed its nefarious intentions, the PFUJ petition noted.
In the petition filed in the Lahore High Court (LHC), petitioner Mohammad Ayub said the law was amended to save the government from its “illegal acts” and requested the court to declare the ordinance unlawful, as it was liable to be set aside in the supreme interest of justice, the Express Tribune reported.
The petition made the principal staff officer of President Arif Alvi, principal secretary of Prime Minister Imran Khan, Ministry of Law and Parliamentary Affairs secretary, establishment secretary, establishment division, cabinet secretary, and the law and justice division secretary as the respondents.
Ayub stated the president promulgated PECA amendment ordinance with “mala fide intention and for ulterior motive” just to “harass and blackmail the opposition” as well as the public at large, which was against the scheme of law.
“The motive behind the promulgation of the impugned ordinance is a direct attack upon the independence of the judicial system as well as judges of constitutional jurisdiction,” the report quoted the petitioner as stating.
“Article 19 of the Constitution talks about the freedom of speech, freedom of expression and freedom of the press. Every citizen of Pakistan has the right to hold an opinion, the right to express them, and the right to speech. Hence this impugned ordinance is a sheer violation of Article 19 of the Constitution of Pakistan 1973.”
Ayub also cited proceedings of a case against journalist Mohsin Baig, who was arrested in a raid on his Islamabad residence after a dramatic scuffle on February 16.
On Monday, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) issued a show-cause notice to the cybercrime wing of Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for the “misuse of power” in Baig’s case.
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has also disapproved the amendments to PECA and demanded immediate withdrawal of the ordinance.
Earlier, Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) President Shehzada Zulfiqar said the new amendments were clearly aimed at suppressing the freedom of speech and press, which had already got setbacks over the last few years.
He said the new legislation would defame Pakistan, where the electronic media had already come under the control of the government. “The mainstream media has already been controlled by the government. It now wants to control the digital media,” Zulfiqar told Arab News.
He said the PFUJ was not against legislation to deal with the issue of “fake news,” but this should be done in consultation with the stakeholders and only after all agree to it.
Pakistani journalists suspend dialogue with government as new social media law challenged in court
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Pakistani journalists suspend dialogue with government as new social media law challenged in court
- Law makes defamation on social media non-bailable offense, increases jail term to 5 years
- Many view the legislation, passed through an ordinance, as a tool to silence critics of government
Pakistani naval ships visit Kuwait and Iraq, conduct joint exercises in Arabian Gulf
- Pakistan regularly holds joint exercises with allies to increase synergy and deter piracy, drug trafficking and other illicit activities
- The visit of Pakistan Navy flotilla to Kuwait and Iraq will further enhance the existing diplomatic and naval relations, the military says
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani naval ships have visited Kuwaiti and Iraqi ports to conduct joint exercises with both navies in the Arabian Gulf, the Pakistani military said on Sunday, adding the visits would enhance existing relations.
Pakistan Navy Ships (PNS) Rasadgar and Azmat visited the Kuwaiti port of Al-Shuwaikh, while Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) ship Dasht visited the Iraqi port of Umm Qasr, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the Pakistani military’s media wing.
On arrival at both ports, Pakistani diplomatic and host naval officials warmly welcomed the Pakistan Navy ships and the mission commander, along with commanding officers of the ships, held meetings with the naval leadership of both countries.
“Later, naval exercises were also conducted together with Kuwaiti and Iraqi navy ships,” the ISPR said in a statement. “The exercises were aimed at improving mutual cooperation between the navies and developing the capacity for joint operations.”
During the meetings, naval officials discussed matters of mutual interest, cooperation in maritime security and communication, according to the statement.
“The visit of Pakistan Navy flotilla to Kuwait and Iraq will further enhance the existing diplomatic and naval relations with friendly countries,” it read.
Pakistan Navy regularly collaborates and holds joint military exercises with allies to increase synergy, promote regional peace and stability and deter piracy, drug trafficking and other illicit maritime activities.
This month, Pakistan Navy conducted joint naval exercises and drills with Royal Oman ship ‘Alseeb.’ The bilateral naval exercise, “Samar Al-Tayeb,” is conducted regularly between the navies of the two nations.
In July, Pakistan Navy also assumed command of a multinational task force responsible for ensuring maritime security in the southeastern waters of the Middle East, operating in the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman and Gulf of Aden.
Pakistan’s army vows to hunt down militants a day after attack kills 16 soldiers
- Pakistan has struggled to contain militancy in its northwest since a fragile truce with Pakistani Taliban broke down in 2022
- Islamabad has frequently blamed the surge in militancy on militants operating out of Afghanistan, Kabul denies the allegation
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s army chief, General Asim Munir, on Sunday vowed to hunt down militants waging attacks against security forces and their facilitators, the Pakistani military said, a day after the killing of 16 soldiers in an ambush in the country’s northwest.
Gen. Munir said this during his visit to the South Waziristan district in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, which has been battling a surge in militancy.
The visit came a day after the killing of 16 soldiers and eight militants during a gunfight in South Waziristan after a group of militants ambushed an army outpost in Makeen area.
Interacting with officers and troops, the army chief commended their resilience and steadfastness in the face of militancy, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military’s media wing.
“The army chief highlighted that the courage, resilience, and unyielding determination of Pakistan’s armed forces are the cornerstone of the nation’s sovereignty,” the ISPR said in a statement
“COAS reaffirmed Pakistan Army’s commitment to pursuing Fitna Al Khwarij [militants] which shall continue to be hunted down till its elimination along with the facilitator, abettors and financier who will be made to pay the price for their nefarious activities against the state.”
The brazen raid on the outpost near the border with Afghanistan was claimed by the Pakistani Taliban, who said it was staged “in retaliation for the martyrdom of our senior commanders.”
The development came days after the Pakistani military said it had killed 11 militants in separate operations in KP’s Tank, North Waziristan and Mohmand districts.
Pakistan has witnessed a surge in militancy in KP since November 2022, when a fragile truce between the Pakistani Taliban and the government in Islamabad broke down.
Islamabad has frequently accused neighboring Afghanistan of sheltering and supporting militant groups that launch cross-border attacks. Afghan officials deny involvement, insisting Pakistan’s security issues are an internal matter of Islamabad.
On Saturday, the Pakistani military also urged the Taliban administration in Kabul to ensure robust border management after a group of militants tried to infiltrate from Afghanistan, leading to a skirmish that left four militants and a soldier dead a day earlier.
Pakistan national airline aims to expand its fleet to improve flight operations
- PIA has 23% of Pakistan’s domestic aviation market, but its 34-plane fleet has failed to compete globally
- The airline has faced a lack of direct flights, despite having agreements with 87 countries and key landing slots
KARACHI: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is aiming to expand its fleet to improve flight operations, the national flag carrier said on Sunday, following the addition of another Airbus 320.
PIA has 23 percent of Pakistan’s domestic aviation market, but its 34-plane fleet has failed to compete with carriers internationally.
The Pakistani airline has been facing a lack of direct flights, despite having agreements with 87 countries and key landing slots.
“The 11th Airbus 320 AP-BOM has been inducted into the operational fleet with new engines. The aircraft was rolled out from the hangar with new paint and cabin decoration,” PIA said in a statement.
“PIA’s operational fleet will also include long-grounded Boeing 777 and ATR aircraft in the next few days.”
The fleet revival will greatly improve the expansion of PIA’s network and product quality, according to the statement. From this week, PIA has also introduced an in-flight Internet system in domestic flights, which is gaining popularity among passengers.
The airline said strict adherence to flight schedules, providing safe and high-quality products to passengers was its top priority.
“PIA’s flight schedule has achieved 90 percent regularity,” PIA Chief Executive Officer Khurram Mushtaq said. “Measures for operational fleet expansion and product improvement are part of our commitment.”
Earlier this month, PIA said it would resume flights to Europe in January, starting with Paris, after the EU aviation regulator lifted a ban on the national flag carrier.
PIA’s authorization to operate in the EU was suspended in June 2020 over concerns about the ability of Pakistani authorities and its Civil Aviation Authority to ensure compliance with international aviation standards.
The ban cost the loss-making airline 40 billion rupees ($144 million) annually in revenue. Pakistan’s attempts to privatize PIA fell flat this year, when it received only a single offer, well below its asking price.
Pakistani province launches helicopter service to evacuate people, dispatch aid to clashes-hit district
- Clashes between Sunni, Shia tribes have killed over 100 people in Kurram since last month
- On Friday, authorities set a deadline of Feb. 1 for the warring tribes to surrender weapons
PESHAWAR: Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province has launched a helicopter service to evacuate people and transport aid to Kurram district that has been hit by sectarian clashes in recent weeks, officials said on Sunday.
Kurram, a tribal district of around 600,000 near Pakistan’s border with Afghanistan where federal and provincial authorities have traditionally exerted limited control, has been a flashpoint for sectarian tensions between Shia and Sunni tribes for decades.
Fresh clashes that erupted last month have killed more than a hundred people, triggering a humanitarian crisis with reports of starvation, lack of medicine and oxygen shortages following the blocking of the main highway connecting Kurram’s main city of Parachinar to the provincial capital of Peshawar.
In response to the problems being faced by residents, the KP administration has been facilitating travel between Parachinar and Peshawar. On Sunday, two flights evacuated 27 individuals as well as carried 16 government staffers and members of a tribal council, which has been striving to achieve peace, to Kurram.
“There is no fare involved in transportation of people or medicines via the helicopter, rather it is a voluntary service by the KP government to meet the emergency situation,” Nisar Muhammad Khan, a KP government official, told Arab News.
The helicopter service was also being used to dispatch medicines to Parachinar. A day ago, 53 individuals, including 14 patients, were shifted to Peshawar from Kurram via helicopter, according to the provincial authorities.
A third flight was scheduled to bring people stranded in the Tal area back to Parachinar, while five more flights were expected to relocate over a hundred people on Sunday, according to the provincial government.
Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur’s office said the government had so far dispatched 1,850 kilograms of medical supplies to Kurram, assuring that it would mobilize all resources to ease problems of the people and ensure durable peace in the region.
The development comes days after the KP authorities set a deadline of Feb. 1 for warring Sunni and Shia tribes in the district to surrender all weapons and dismantle their bunkers to stem sectarian clashes in the region.
The decision was made at a meeting of the KP apex committee, which comprises civilian and military officials, to discuss a sustainable solution to the issue. It allowed the launch of a special air service for temporary evacuation from some parts of Kurram to protect people’s lives, according to the apex committee declaration.
“The agreement outlines that both sides will submit a detailed action plan within 15 days for voluntary submission of weapons,” read a declaration issued after the apex committee meeting.
“All weapons are to be deposited with the local administration by February 1. Additionally, it was decided that all bunkers in the area will be dismantled by the same deadline.”
In the meantime, land routes to the area would be opened intermittently on humanitarian grounds and a mechanism was put in place for secure transportation, according to the statement.
“Personnel of police and Frontier Corps will jointly provide security to the convoys,” it read.
Last month’s clashes erupted after rival tribes attacked convoys of passengers on the Parachinar-Peshawar road, which were followed by attacks on each other’s villages.
The apex committee asked both sides to avoid any violent action in the future to keep the land route safe and open at all times, hoping that the parties would fully cooperate with the government for a lasting solution to the issue.
Champions Trophy preparations in full swing as Karachi stadium upgradation nears completion
- PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi says the National Stadium will be ready well before the ICC tournament
- He says the PCB is improving facilities for Pakistani cricket fans to ensure they have a better experience
ISLAMABAD: Preparations for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 are progressing rapidly, with the upgradation of Karachi’s National Stadium nearing completion, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi said on Sunday during a visit to the venue.
The tournament, scheduled for February 2025, has been at the center of controversy following India's reluctance to play in Pakistan due to strained political ties.
The International Cricket Council resolved the impasse by approving a hybrid model, allowing India’s matches to be held at neutral venues while other teams play in Pakistan. The decision ensured India’s participation while retaining Pakistan as the official host.
“Remarkable progress has been made in a very short time,” Naqvi was quoted in a PCB statement. “The upgradation of the National Stadium will be completed well before the Champions Trophy tournament.”
During the visit, Naqvi reviewed ongoing projects, including the installation of new seats in enclosures, enhanced parking facilities for 2,700 vehicles and finishing work on the stadium building.
He also instructed officials to expedite the installation of LED lights and scoreboards.
“We are improving facilities for cricket fans to ensure they have a better experience,” he added.
The PCB is under pressure to ensure the country is ready to host the major ICC tournament.
Security concerns and political tensions had previously kept high-profile international cricket events away, but recent improvements in safety and infrastructure have bolstered Pakistan’s case as a venue.
Praising the rapid progress at the National Stadium, Naqvi lauded the project team for their dedication.
“I congratulate the entire team for their outstanding and swift work,” he said.
The Champions Trophy is seen as a pivotal moment for Pakistan cricket, with the PCB aiming to deliver a world-class tournament to reaffirm the country’s ability to host international events successfully.
