JournalismPakistan.com | Published 10 years ago
Join our WhatsApp channel
ISLAMABAD: A parliamentary panel Friday deferred passage of controversial Prevention of Electronic Crimes Bill 2015 for the time being as top government advisers remained divided over its final draft.
In a meeting presided over by Captain (Retd) Muhammad Safdar, National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Information Technology discussed concerns of lawmakers and members of civil society on the bill. After hearing the civil society’s reservations on the bill, Safdar said the bill would not be put forward for final approval, which came as a shock to the ruling party leaders.
“I cannot approve this bill in its current form as I have not heard suggestions for improvement to the bill,” Safdar said.
State Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Anusha Rehman said the committee deliberated many times on the issue and discussed the legislation with members of the civil society as well, a claim that was refuted by internet service providers and the members of the public.
Civil society representatives urged the government to omit certain controversial clauses in the bill. A separate draft of the bill was also presented before the committee by PTI’s Amjad Ali Khan.
November 05, 2025: PTI’s Faisal Chaudhry’s witty reply to Gharidah Farooqi on GTV’s “G for Gharidah” goes viral as a clip from their debate over the 27th Amendment sparks reactions online.
November 05, 2025: Digital platform Nukta lays off 37 employees in Pakistan, including journalists and producers, highlighting the financial struggles facing new media ventures in a shrinking job market.
November 04, 2025: Talat Hussain denies airing the viral clip showing Sher Afzal Marwat’s vulgar remark, saying it was not part of his Samaa TV show.
November 03, 2025: PFUJ recalls November 3, 2007, as Pakistan’s darkest day under Musharraf, urging protection for journalists and the abolition of laws threatening press freedom.
November 02, 2025: PFUJ urges Pakistan’s federal and provincial governments to end Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists and ensure their safety and press freedom.
November 02, 2025: Impunity for crimes against journalists deepens worldwide as Pakistan reports a 60 percent surge in attacks and weak enforcement of safety laws.
November 01, 2025: Pakistan Press Foundation reports 137 attacks on journalists in 2025, highlighting rising threats, legal harassment, and censorship on the International Day to End Impunity.
November 01, 2025: A viral Samaa TV clip featuring MNA Sher Afzal Marwat’s crude remarks and Talat Hussain’s laughter raises questions about the declining ethics of Pakistani television.
November 05, 2025 The Pulitzer Center is offering global reporting grants for journalists worldwide, funding high-impact projects on underreported issues with rolling applications in 2025.
November 04, 2025 Journalist Rana Ayyub receives death threats over calls demanding a column on the 1984 anti-Sikh riots as CPJ urges swift action to protect journalists in India.
November 04, 2025 TV8 journalist Mariana Rata in Moldova receives a death threat after interviewing politician Renato Usatii on-air, raising concerns about journalist safety.
November 03, 2025 Global journalist unions condemn the Indonesian agriculture minister’s lawsuit against Tempo, calling it a threat to press freedom and demanding that the case be withdrawn.
November 02, 2025 Independent outlet All About Macau to halt print and online operations amid rising pressure, financial strain, and legal threats, sparking press freedom concerns in the city.