Press Freedom: Federal Investigation Agency of Pakistan registered cases against 49 journalists
New Delhi: Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) of Pakistan – has registered cases against 49 media professionals and social media activists. FIA registered cases under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA).
Over this action of FIA, A senior Journalist of Pakistan – Mubashir Zaidi tweeted that “Biggest crackdown against journalists & social media activists to date in Pakistan. FIA registered cases against 49 journalists & social media activists under PECA. Names include @UmarCheema1 @AzazSyed @murtazasolang @ammarmasood3 @AsadAToor @bilalfqi etc,”
Mubashir Zaidi is a person who is hosting the popular talk show Zara Hat Kay in Pakistan.
Journalist bodies have condemned the move and have demanded that the cases be withdrawn. The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists in a tweet vowed to hold countrywide protests if the government didn’t withdraw the cases.
“The agency has received complaints against 49 social media activists from a few complainants with evidence. “Cases have been registered against these activists and the FIA is issuing notices to these activists shortly,” FIA said in its clarification statement.
“Strict action was likely to be taken against the individuals based on evidence that would be found to be detrimental to state institutions, especially the country’s security forces” FIA said.
One of the charged journalists – Murtaza Solangi said that he would continue to fight for constitutionally guaranteed freedoms. “We shall not bow before fascist thuggery and we shall not surrender our fundamental rights” he tweeted.
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) cleared its stand and condemned the move of FIA.
To support the charged journalists, HRCP tweeted “The HRCP is alarmed by the news in circulation that the FIA is registering cases against 49 journalists and social media activists under PECA regulations. We demand that the state refrain from such action and stop using the FIA to curb political dissent.”
A fortnight ago, Prime Minister Imran Khan had asserted that there is no media crackdown in Pakistan and he and his government are far more unprotected than the media”.
_Vinayak.Barot
