The controversial legislation regarding defamation, which imposes significant restrictions on press freedom, was officially enacted as provincial law on Saturday.
This occurred after Acting Governor Malik Ahmad Khan, a member of the PML-N, gave his assent to the bill. This event took place in the absence of the PPP-nominated Governor Sardar Saleem Haider, who had taken a leave of absence after promising ‘consultations’ on the Punjab Defamation Act of 2024.
Thee petition against the bill asked the high court to strike down the defamation law, saying it violated the fundamental rights of citizens protected in the Constitution. Journalists Riaz Ahmad Raja and Jaffar Ahmad Yar, who moved the pela, said that in the presence of two legal instruments i.e. the Defamation Ordinance 2002 and the Punjab Defamation Act 2012, it would have been better to amend the existing laws rather than coming up with a whole new legislation.
It said the definition of ‘journalist’ and ‘newspaper’ provided in the impugned law was vague, irrational and ambiguous.
According to the petition, the law provides initiation of defamation claims without any proof, which is a clear violation of Article 10-A (fair trial) of the Constitution.
Earlier PFUJ President GM Jamali and Secretary General Rana M Azeem both expressed their concern over the legislation, and identified the law as contrary to Pakistan’s constitutional rights of freedom of speech and expression. They said: “The PFUJ completely rejects the defamation law and announce a series of protests at all levels in due course of time. We demand the government to review this bill and take all the stake holders in confidence and contemplate their concerns.”
The IFJ said: “In addition to the issues of job security, personal safety, and illegal dismissals, new laws are being introduced by Punjab authorities to compromise freedom of expression, a right guaranteed by the constitution of Pakistan. This is extremely dangerous for journalists and media workers, and a real threat to press freedom and freedom of information. The IFJ urges both Punjab and national authorities to immediately withdraw this legislation and pursue any further defamation legislation in robust consultation with journalists, media workers, and their unions.”