LAHORE: The government of Punjab has tabled the defamation law, which will also regulate social media, here on Wednesday.
The Punjab Information Minister Uzma Bukhari has said that now nobody will be allowed to insult others on social media.
She said the affected person can file an application through the tribunal. The defamation case will have to wrap up within 180 days.
“Three proceedings will be held in 21 days,” Minister said.
Uzma Bukhari said: “There is a dire need to end the process of hurling allegations against each other.”
Opposition raises reservations over defamation bill
While on other hand the opposition led by Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) raised objections over the bill and requested the chair to send it back to the concerned committee for more deliberations.
“All the stakeholders and civil society members should be consulted before the passage of the bill,” said opposition leader Ahmad Khan Bhachar, while speaking on a point of order.
Rana Aftab Khan, MPA from the opposition benches, questioned the hurry behind the passage of the bill and requested the chair to bring it in the house after thorough deliberations with all the stakeholders.
Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan asked the opposition to submit its recommendations and suggestions on the draft of the bill.
Read More: Federal govt likely to present Rs9,300 billion deficit budget on June 7
“The opposition has every right to oppose the bill. You can give your reservations on the bill till Monday when it will be taken in the house for voting,” speaker said.
‘Journalists rejected defamation law’
On the other hand, the Lahore Press Club has rejected the proposed defamation law as a plan of the Muslim League (N) Punjab government to curb freedom of expression.
The Punjab government wants to prevent journalists from speaking the truth. The Maryam administration is on a dictatorial path to close the eyes and mouths of journalists,” LPC president Arshad Ansari said in a statement.
Now efforts are being made to silence journalists by fear of high courts, tribunals, fines and arrests. We expect that PPP, which is an ally of the Punjab government, will come forward and speak for freedom of press and raise voice against this law,” he said and said that any law in this regard Preparation should be done in consultation with all stakeholders.
It said that the LPC is in touch with all journalist organizations and political parties to formulate our strategy against this proposed ‘repressive law’ and to launch a movement.
However, Leader of Opposition in Punjab Assembly Malik Ahmad Khan Bhachar said that the government’s aim is to curb freedom of expression in the name of defamation. He advised the Muslim League (N) administration not to introduce this law in haste.
He suggested to the provincial assembly on Wednesday that media and civil society members should be consulted before finalizing the final draft. He said that the proposed defamation bill should be referred to the parliamentary committee for full review.
The new defamation bill is likely to be passed by the Punjab Assembly on Monday (May 20), as the government has asked the journalist community to submit their concerns by Sunday.