Punjab Governor Sardar Salim Haider has pledged to conduct further consultations with all stakeholders concerning the contentious defamation bill. This decision follows a meeting with representatives from the Joint Action Committee (JAC), who voiced significant concerns from the journalists’ community.
The meeting, held on Sunday, included prominent media figures such as CPNE President Irshad Arif, Lahore Press Club President Arshad Ansari, Dunya Media Group Managing Director Naveed Kashif, and former CPNE President Kazim Khan. Other attendees were Hafiz Tariq Mehmood, Imtanan Shahid, Muhammad Usman, and senior PPP leader from central Punjab Syed Hassan Murtaza.
During the meeting, the journalists’ representatives expressed that the defamation bill aims to stifle media voices and infringes on the freedom of expression. They urged the governor to intervene and prevent the bill from being enacted in its current form.
Governor Haider assured that “all stakeholders would be taken into confidence over the controversial clauses of the bill.” He emphasized his commitment to not signing the bill without thorough consultation.
PPP leader Syed Hassan Murtaza echoed these sentiments, stating, “We are standing with media and we don’t support this bill in its current form.”
The media fraternity has also indicated plans to challenge the bill in court if necessary, underscoring the significant opposition from journalists and media organizations towards the proposed legislation.
