PESHAWAR: The Awami National Party has rejected the proposed Pakistan Media Development Authority Ordinance 2021 and described it as an attempt to snatch the right of freedom of expression from the people.

ANP provincial president Aimal Wali Khan said in a statement here on Saturday that the federal government had opened an ‘ordinance factory’ and it was avoiding focusing on legislation, which was tantamount to bringing disgrace to the parliament.

He said the government should table such bills in the parliament if it was sincere to introduce media reforms. He said the government was trying to control the media by imposing heavy penalties and imprisonment through the media tribunals.

Aimal Wali said the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf on the one hand was claiming majority in parliament, on the other it was promulgating presidential ordinances through the backdoor.

He said the government had lost confidence of masses. He said the government was trying to control journalists and media houses at all costs, but they would not allow it do so.

The proposed law, he said, was in violation of the Constitution and it was aimed at undermining freedoms enshrined in theConstitution guarantees under Articles 19 and 19-A and must be immediately withdrawn.

Published in Dawn, May 30th, 2021

Opinion

Editorial

Kurram atrocity
Updated 22 Nov, 2024

Kurram atrocity

It would be a monumental mistake for the state to continue ignoring the violence in Kurram.
Persistent grip
22 Nov, 2024

Persistent grip

PAKISTAN has now registered 50 polio cases this year. We all saw it coming and yet there was nothing we could do to...
Green transport
22 Nov, 2024

Green transport

THE government has taken a commendable step by announcing a New Energy Vehicle policy aiming to ensure that by 2030,...
Military option
Updated 21 Nov, 2024

Military option

While restoring peace is essential, addressing Balochistan’s socioeconomic deprivation is equally important.
HIV/AIDS disaster
21 Nov, 2024

HIV/AIDS disaster

A TORTUROUS sense of déjà vu is attached to the latest health fiasco at Multan’s Nishtar Hospital. The largest...
Dubious pardon
21 Nov, 2024

Dubious pardon

IT is disturbing how a crime as grave as custodial death has culminated in an out-of-court ‘settlement’. The...