Attock Journalists rally against PECA Act 2025, demand immediate repeal

QAZI SHOAIB KHAN

ATTOCK (FEB-01) Following the protest call of  Federal Union of Journalists, the  journalistic community of inter provincial district of Attock on Saturday  while chanting slogans against the arbitrary legislation of the alliance rulers have also strongly rejected the most controversial Law of Prevention of electronic Crime Act, 2025 with the demand to repel its recent draconian amendments. The journalistic community under the aegis of Attock Press Club (regd) led by their chief patron senior journalist Syed Raza Naqvi, along with  social media journalists Mian Zia, Mumtaz Hussain, prominent journalists include Sheikh Javed Iqbal, Dr. Suhail Ahmed, Mr. Tahir Naqash and others have also addressed the protest rally leading from Fowara Chowk Attock City which concluded near Katchery Chowk in a peace manner.

 On this occasion, MPA of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Attock, Syed Ijaz Hussain Bukhari, also joined the protest to show solidarity with the journalist community. He criticized the government, stating that there is no oppression left that the current regime has not committed. “There is chaos everywhere, and no institution is safe from their violent actions. The government does not want to hear the truth,” he said. Speaking at the protest, Patron-in-Chief Syed Raza Naqvi emphasized that journalism is the fourth pillar of the state, and by enforcing the PECA Act, the government is attempting to dismantle this pillar, which will not be tolerated. Addressing the participants, Chairman of the Press Club, Sheikh Faisal Javed, stated that truth is a powerful force, and anyone who stands against it will be shattered. He asserted that the PECA Act is not only against press freedom but also a violation of human rights.

He demanded that the government immediately revoke this act. Sheikh Faisal Javed also criticized the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N), stating that while they claim to uphold democracy and human rights, their support for this act contradicts their principles. “In reality, both parties have buried the essence of democracy,” he remarked. The protest highlighted the journalist community’s unity and their unwavering stance against any attempts to curb press freedom.  They protestants have also opposed the undemocratic attempts of the present rulers involved in making illegal and unlawful amendments without the due participation of the stake holders who are fighting their constitutional guaranteed rights of expression since long. The disputed amendments in PECA were assented the President Mr. Asif Zadari without taking the stake holders into confidence as discussed with JUI chief Moulana Fazale Rehman which is an open malafide of the rulers.   They stressed upon the opposition parties, lawyers, civil society and apex courts to join hand for protection of their fundamental rights of speech and power of pen. The present rulers are adamant to legislate all kinds of bills just to cover their corrupt practices from the eyes of people but they would not be able to succeed in their plans.   The journalistic community in their fiery speeches have also committed to protect their freedom of expression as envisaged in the Article 19 of the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan, 1973 which was made possible with their continuous sacrifices.