Pakistan continues to remain the most dangerous country in the world for journalists, and more and more scribes are being arrested for criticising the country
Berlin [Germnay], January 20 (ANI): Pakistan continues to remain the most dangerous country in the world for journalists, and more and more scribes are being arrested for criticising the country s Army under the Pakistan Electronic Crimes Act 2016 (PECA).
PECA, which is seen as the draconian tool to silence free speech, criminalises any speech considered to be blasphemous and even those who criticise state institutions.
Recently, a new section was added in PECA stating that those who intentionally ridicule, bring into disrepute or defame the Armed Forces of Pakistan will be sentenced upto two years and be fined over USD 3,018.
DW quoted Pakistani journalist Asad Ali Toor, who was one of the several journalists to have been charged under the PECA, as saying that the most frustrating part of his judicial process was that he was never told which of his tweets were deemed illegal, or who had filed the FIR.
Pakistan journalists face charges for criticizing military
Criticizing Pakistan s military has become riskier, and journalists are being singled out for flimsy offenses under a beefed-up electronic crimes law. DW speaks with one of the journalists targeted.
An archive photo of Pakistani journalists protesting against censorship
It was a normal day in September 2020 for Pakistani journalist Asad Ali Toor, who started his morning with a fresh newspaper and a cup of tea. But when Toor turned to page three, he was shocked to see a so-called First Information Report (FIR) had been registered against him.
Toor was being charged with spreading negative propaganda against the Pakistani state and its institutions through social media under the Pakistan Electronic Crimes Act 2016 (PECA).
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January 2, 2021
PESHAWAR: Minister for Interior Shaikh Rashid Ahmed Friday said the government was going to take a strong action against armed wings of the political parties.
The minister the diplomatic passport of Nawaz Sharif would stand cancelled on its expiry on February 16 as the government would not renew it.
“Pakistan have no extradition treaty with Britain under which Nawaz Sharif could be brought back, however efforts are underway on all fronts to get him repatriated to face corruption cases,” he said while addressing a press-conference here after winding up his two days visit to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and merged tribal districts.
Ban on armed wings of political parties under consideration: Interior Minister radio.gov.pk - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from radio.gov.pk Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.