Media bodies announce ‘besieging parliament’ to protest against Peca amendments

LAHORE: Media bodies have decided to intensify their movement against the controversial amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca) 2016, announcing besieging parliament in the next phase of protests.

In a statement, Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) Secretary General Arshad Ansari unveiled the plan for organising nationwide rallies and protests under the joint action committee.

He also revealed that the media fraternity aimed to stage a long march to the Parliament House, sit-ins and “Jail Bharo Tehreek [court arrest movement] against the Peca tweaks”. “Peca amendment bill is a serious assault on the freedom of press,” said Ansari, adding: “Trade unions, human rights organisations, and civil society will hold joint protests.”

Subsequently, the PFUJ and the joint action committee would also move the high court to challenge the amended law. He further detailed that rallies would be taken out from all press clubs in all cities, including Lahore, which would merge into a massive rally at the Islamabad press club. The PFUJ secretary general said that the participants of the central rally will besiege the parliament after advancing from the Islamabad press club to the Parliament House. However, he did not disclose the date of the rally in the statement.