LAHORE
The controversial Punjab Defamation Bill, 2024, has become law after acting Governor Punjab signed it.
The bill that garnered immense criticism, particularly from journalists and digital rights activists, received the final nod from, who currently holds the position of acting governor in the absence of Punjab Governor Sardar Salim Khan, as per the sources.
The sources added that Governor Sardar Salim has gone on leave.
The Punjab Assembly, on May 20, passed the Punjab Defamation Bill, 2024 amid a strong and noisy protest by the opposition as well as immense backlash from journalists and rights bodies including those based internationally.
Reacting to the development, Lahore Press Club President Arshad Ansari slammed the Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) deceptive attitude, saying that the party deceived journalists.
“The bill was signed by the acting governor by sending the Punjab governor on leave under a plan,” said Ansari.
The senior journalist added that the PPP was apparently with the journalists and was conniving with the provincial government from within.
“A meeting of the action committee will be called soon and future strategy will be announced,” said the journalist.
Meanwhile, soon after its approval today, the law was challenged in the Lahore High Court.
The petitions challenging the law have been filed by journalist Jaffar Ahmad Yar and a citizen Raja Riaz. In the pleas filed by the two individuals, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, the governor, and the provincial government have been nominated.
The petition stated that the defamation law is against the constitution and law. It added that a new law cannot be made in the presence of the Defamation Act.
The plea lamented that journalists were not consulted before the passing and approval of the defamation law.
“Defamation law was hastily introduced to control the media,” the petition maintained, requesting the court to invalidate the “draconian” law.
The Punjab Assembly, on May 20, passed the Punjab Defamation Bill, 2024 amid a strong and noisy protest by the opposition as well as immense backlash from journalists and rights bodies including those based internationally.
