KUJ and Peshawar Press Club Reject PECA Amendments, Stage Protest Outside KP Assembly

The Khyber Union of Journalists (KUJ) and the Peshawar Press Club have strongly rejected the amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) recently approved by the federal government, demanding an immediate withdrawal of the changes.

A protest against the amendments was organized by the KUJ and the Press Club outside the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly.

The protest was led by Kyber Union of journalists President Kashif Uddin Syed, Peshawar Press Club President M.Riaz, Press Club General Secretary Tayyab Usman Awan, and Khyber Union of journalists General Secretary Arshad Ali, Press Gallery representative Gulzar Mohammad also participated.

During the protest, journalists walked out of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly and staged a demonstration outside the building.

The protest received support from key political figures, including Assembly Speaker Mushtaq Ghani, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Provincial Ministers Dr. Amjad and Fazal Shakur, and other officials, who joined the demonstration to express solidarity with the journalists.

In their speeches, Khyber Union of journalists President Kashif Uddin Syed and Press Club President M. Riaz criticized the federal government for passing the amendments without consulting stakeholders.

They stated that the amendments to the PECA Act aim to criminalize dissent and undermine freedom of expression.They called on the Senate to postpone the bill and initiate consultations with relevant stakeholders.

Fazal Shakur and other speakers accused the federal government of targeting electronic and print media, as well as digital platforms, in an attempt to suppress free speech.The amendments, they argued, are an attack on freedom of expression and democracy.

Meanwhile, the Khyber Union of journalists and Press Club representatives expressed their gratitude to the provincial government for passing a resolution in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly condemning the PECA amendments.They reiterated their commitment to continue protests until the controversial amendments are withdrawn.

The protest highlighted growing concerns among journalists and media professionals regarding the shrinking space for independent journalism in Pakistan.The amendments are seen as an alarming move to silence dissent and curtail the rights of journalists and citizens.