PAKISTAN Govt proposes law to gag print media

ISLAMABAD:The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz-led government has prepared a draft law to control media and impose more restrictions on the freedom of press. The speed with which the law is being prepared has sent alarm bells ringing in the journalist community, including the All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) and Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE).

The two representative bodies have been accusing the government of not taking them into confidence. The government is likely to enact the law through an ordinance or get it passed through parliament. However, the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists and the Karachi Union of Journalists have rejected the planned piece of legislation.

PM assures APNS of no change in legal structure for print media : Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has categorically assured the All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) that the Government is not contemplating any change in the present legal structure of Print Media. However, any law or amendment, if needed, will be undertaken in consultation with the APNS, CPNE, PFUJ and other stakeholders. He reiterated the resolve of his government to protect and ensure the Freedom of Press as enshrined in the Constitution of Pakistan.

by : Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)