PFUJ condemns 'black laws' and harassment on World Press Freedom Day

JournalismPakistan.com | Published: 3 May 2025 | JP Staff Report

The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists has denounced legislation perceived to restrict media freedom. They emphasize the urgent need to protect journalists and uphold freedom of expression amidst rising intimidation tactics.
Summary

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has issued a stern call to federal and provincial governments to safeguard press freedom and freedom of expression, warning that these fundamental rights are rapidly deteriorating across the country.

In a powerful joint statement released ahead of World Press Freedom Day, observed globally on Saturday, PFUJ Acting President Khalid Khokhar and Secretary General Arshad Ansari strongly condemned recent legislative changes designed to curtail media freedom.

"The amendments in the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2025 made by the federal government and the Defamation Law passed by the Punjab Assembly were aimed at controlling the media," they stated, labeling these measures as "black laws."

The PFUJ leaders vowed continued resistance against what they described as oppressive legislation that threatens not only freedom of expression but the entire journalistic community. They sharply criticized the government's intimidation tactics, including journalist abductions, fabricated legal cases, and financial harassment through blocking journalists' and family members' bank accounts. "All these tactics are being used to harass the journalists' community and force them to toe the government line," the two leaders said.

The statement highlighted the government's failure to implement the Journalist Safety Act despite its parliamentary approval, noting that neither the mandated commission has been established nor necessary rules formulated. "This raises serious questions about the government's commitment to the safety of journalists," the PFUJ leadership emphasized.

The union accused authorities of weaponizing government advertisements—a crucial revenue source for media—by rewarding compliant outlets while punishing independent voices. They specifically mentioned that the English-language daily Dawn, founded by Pakistan's founding father Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, faces advertising boycotts for maintaining editorial independence.

Alarmingly, the PFUJ reported six journalist killings over the past year, the sealing of Quetta Press Club, and widespread control by "unseen forces." Journalists in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including former FATA regions, and Balochistan continue working under extreme pressure and dangerous conditions.

"PFUJ reaffirms its unwavering commitment to safeguarding freedom of the press and expression, as well as the legitimate rights of the media community," the leadership declared. "We will neither compromise on our stance of upholding the freedom of expression and will fight for it at every available forum no matter what the cost."

Photo: Unesco (Marc James)

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