LAHORE,(Parliament Times): A delegation consisting of Ayaz Khan, Irshad Ahmad Arif, Shehryar Taseer, Zia Tanuli and Zubair Mehmood under the leadership of Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) President Kazim Khan called on Speaker Punjab Assembly Chaudhry Parvez Elahi to the Assembly Chamber. I met Freedom of expression, freedom of press, problems faced by journalists, media workers and media organizations were discussed in the meeting. The delegation termed the PICA Act against freedom of press and freedom of expression and demanded its immediate repeal On this occasion, Punjab Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi supported all the demands of CPNE including the repeal of the PECA Act and said that Nawaz Sharif and his followers introduced the PECA Act to stop “free thinking and voices”.
Media is the fourth pillar of the state, its freedom is very important for the development, security and survival of Pakistan. International media should be allowed coverage to ensure transparency, it is not in our own interest to impose any restrictions on media freedom. We have always worked for the freedom of media and the welfare of the nation. Free media is very important for the development, security and survival of Pakistan. accepted the criticism of the media with an open heart, always took the side of reformation from the criticism of the media. On this occasion, President CPNE Kazim Khan and the leaders included in the delegation said that CPNE is against all such laws, including PICA Act 2016, which are tantamount to restrictions on basic human rights, freedom of expression and freedom of press. CPNE will continue to raise its voice for the repeal and repeal of such laws.
