JournalismPakistan.com | Published November 19, 2021
Join our WhatsApp channelISLAMABAD—The Senate Friday passed the Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals Bill 2021 and three other bills amid the opposition'sopposition's protests.
Minister for Human Rights Dr. Shireen Mazari presented the media protection bill, which the National Assembly has already passed.
However, Senators from the opposition parties called sending the bills introduced to the relevant committees, including the bill on journalists'journalists' protection.
The other three bills were the Higher Education Commission (Second Amendment) Bill 2021, the National Accountability Amendment Bill 2021, and the Higher Education Commission (Second Amendment) Bill 2021.
But Dr. Mazari argued for voting on the bill, saying it took a year to draft it. The Senate passed the four bills after the six-member independent senators'senators' group, led by Senator Dilawar Khan, supported the government.
On the passage of the bill, Dr. Mazari thanked journalists and media professionals in a tweet. "I want to thank all the journalists and media professionals for their valuable inputs and support, and the bill reflects these inputs. The bill was drafted with consensus."
In another tweet, she narrated the two years of work to prepare the bill. "Today after 2 yr struggle to provide a comprehensive journalist & media professionals protection law, drafted in consultation with journalists bodies, was finally realised thru parliament. After NA today Senate passed bill by majority vote. Now President will sign bill into law."
On the other hand, Pakistan Peoples Party Senator Sherry Rehman tried to clarify that she did not oppose the bill, but the proper procedure was not followed. ""Because friends in the media are asking: we did NOT oppose the Journalist Protection Bill, but were asking for it to go to Standing Committee, same as we wanted for all bills like HEC. After that supplementary agenda was produced when members had left for juma prayers.""
In a tweet in Urdu, Minister for Information Fawad Chaudhry congratulated the journalists on the bill's passage. He maintained that the legislation would give working journalists rights available to the journalists in the developed world. He also termed the bill evidence of the PTI government's commitment to press freedom.
June 11, 2025: Pakistan celebrated a narrow win over Bangladesh, but beneath the jubilation lies a deeper crisis—from sidelined veterans to a collapsing domestic structure—signaling an urgent need for cricket reform.
June 11, 2025: Journalists walked out of the post-budget press conference in Islamabad to protest the absence of a technical briefing and the government's dismissive behavior, calling it unacceptable and intolerable.
May 31, 2025: Dr. Nauman Niaz has issued a defamation notice to Shoaib Akhtar over derogatory remarks made during a recent broadcast, reigniting a longstanding media feud between the two prominent figures in Pakistan.
May 30, 2025: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has demanded the full repeal of PECA, citing its vague language, coercive powers, and threats to free speech and digital rights in Pakistan.
May 30, 2025: The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has condemned the murder of journalist Syed Mohammed Shah in Jacobabad, calling for urgent justice and improved safety for media professionals in Sindh.
May 26, 2025: In Rawalpindi, police allegedly side with Jang Group to block 66 reinstated employees from resuming work despite court orders, drawing sharp criticism from unions and press freedom advocates.
May 25, 2025: PFUJ condemns the Jang Group's decision to dismiss over 80 employees in Rawalpindi, calling it an 'economic massacre.' The union warns of nationwide protests if workers are not reinstated.
May 25, 2025: Daily Jang Rawalpindi has terminated over 80 employees, including female staff, despite multiple court rulings in their favor—raising concerns over labor rights violations and misuse of authority in Pakistani media.
May 19, 2025 PJS reports 219 Palestinian journalists killed in Israeli attacks since October 7, with 30 women among the victims. Over 430 were injured and 685 family members were killed. Read more on the systematic targeting of media in Gaza.
May 15, 2025 Discover the legacy of Samiullah Khan, Pakistan’s legendary "Flying Horse," whose breathtaking speed and artistry redefined hockey. From Olympic glory to World Cup triumphs, his story is one of myth, movement, and magic.
May 04, 2025 Algerian authorities suspend Echorouk News TV for 10 days after it used a racist slur against African migrants. ANIRA demands an apology, calling it a violation of human dignity.
May 04, 2025 NCHR and MMfD launch a journalism fellowship to train reporters on digital rights & gender inclusion in Pakistan. Supported by UNESCO, this initiative aims to bridge the gender digital divide. Apply by May 15, 2025!
April 23, 2025 Discover Dr. Nauman Niaz’s In A Different Realm: Story of Quadruple & Triple Centuries 1876–2025, a profound exploration of cricket's most monumental innings, blending historical analysis with poetic narrative.