Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar announced that the party will not participate in talks with the government scheduled for tomorrow, stating that the decision has been officially conveyed.
Speaking to journalists along with Asad Qaiser and other media representatives, Barrister Gohar criticized the government for rushing the legislation since it came to power. He stated that under the proposed bill (PECA Act), anyone could be arbitrarily accused of spreading fake news.
“We stand with the legitimate rights of the media. The media is the fourth pillar of the state. It helps us identify problems, and now efforts are being made to suppress their voice,” he stated.
Advocate Gohar further said that even if the law is passed, it will be challenged in court, expressing hope that the judiciary will take up the matter. As for Kurram, he highlighted that all political parties have come together on one platform.
The PTI chairman added: “We had given a deadline of seven days regarding the talks. We will not attend tomorrow’s meeting with the government and have informed the Secretary and President of our decision.”
Speaking on the occasion, Asad Qaiser said that the government’s legislative efforts essentially amount to civil martial law. He condemned the proposed amendments to the PECA Act and announced PTI’s participation in a nationwide movement against it.
“We will engage with all parties, including the media, to raise our voice for the supremacy of the constitution and the rule of law,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Senate Interior Committee has approved amendments to the Electronic Crime Prevention Act (PECA), despite strong objections from journalistic organizations and media organizations.
According to Express News, the meeting, chaired by Senator Faisal Saleem, saw the committee approve the PECA amendment bill.
During the session, journalist organizations expressed their opposition to the bill, criticizing the lack of clarity in its provisions and expressing concerns about its potential impact.
The committee chair questioned why the journalist organizations did not submit their written recommendations, stating that they should have formally presented their suggestions to the committee.
Earlier, former Prime Minister Imran Khan, currently serving a jail sentence, on Sunday reiterated his call for overseas Pakistanis to boycott sending remittances, raising political tensions as his party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) , faces the government.
“Once again, I urge foreign Pakistanis to continue their boycott of foreign currency remittances,” Khan said in a post on X. “Sending money to this government strengthens the hands that are tightening the noose around our necks.”
The appeal comes as talks between the government and the PTI, which began last month, broke down this week. The stalemate followed the PTI’s refusal to participate without judicial commissions to investigate the protests on May 9, 2023 and November 26, 2024.
