KUJ condemns case against Shahzeb Jillani; court extends bail
JournalismPakistan.com | Published: 17 April 2019
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The KUJ has denounced the legal action against senior journalist Shahzeb Jillani, asserting it's an attempt to stifle free speech. A district court has extended Jillani's bail by another week.Summary
KARACHI – The Karachi Union of Journalists (KUJ) has condemned the registration of a lawsuit against senior journalist Shahzeb Jillani under a coercive law for expressing his independent views.
The notice was issued to Jillani under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), enacted in 2016 without consulting the journalist community and other stakeholders.
On Wednesday, a district court in Karachi extended the interim pre-arrest bail granted to Jillani by a week.
"The law seems to be in contravention of the Article 19 of the Pakistani constitution which gives freedom to any citizen of the country to express his or her views without any fear," a KUJ statement said.
KUJ President Ashraf Khan and General Secretary Ahmed Khan Malik said that a systematic campaign was going on to suppress the voices of journalists and the latest issuance of the notice was part of that campaign.
They called upon the parliamentarians to review the said Act as it denied the rights of freedom of speech of Pakistanis.
Both the office-bearers demanded that the government revoke the notice against Jillani.
Photo courtesy: samaa.tv
Key Points
- KUJ condemns lawsuit against Shahzeb Jillani under PECA.
- District court extends Jillani's pre-arrest bail by one week.
- KUJ calls for parliamentary review of the PECA.
- The act is seen as a violation of Article 19 of the Pakistani constitution.
- KUJ alleges a systematic campaign to suppress journalists' voices.
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