PFUJ vows to continue fighting for press freedom

JournalismPakistan.com | Published 3 years ago

ISLAMABAD—On the eve of the World Press Freedom Day, the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has expressed its firm resolve to ensure freedom of press and expression in the country, which declined sharply during the previous regime.

PFUJ urged the incumbent government to focus on protecting freedom of speech and expression as no government can succeed in its goals without the constitutional rights of freedom of press and expression.

In a joint statement issued on Monday, President PFUJ Shahzada Zulfiqar and Secretary-General Nasir Zaidi underlined the importance of press freedom, free speech, and expression. "Freedom of the press is the hallmark of any developed and healthy society, and it cannot be compromised."

PFUJ leaders said that the Imran-led government introduced draconian laws in the shape of the Pakistan Media Development Authority (PMDA) and an amendment to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) which could have imposed a martial law on media.

They observed that such laws were designed to deny freedom of press and expression and gag the media. But it was a sustained campaign of the PFUJ and civil society that forced the government to take back the amendment.