CM Kp criticizes centre for ‘curtailing right to freedom of expression’ through Peca
CPNE delegation calls on Gandapur, discusses key issues related to the newspaper industry, national politics and performance of provincial government
PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur on Tuesday strongly criticized the federal government’s Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), calling it an attack on freedom of the press and speech.
“We rejected the legislation, as any law that curtails the right to freedom of expression cannot be accepted,” the KP chief minister made the remarks during a call on meeting with a delegation of the Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE).
The delegation, led by its President Kazim Khan, discussed key issues related to the newspaper industry, national political developments, and the performance of the provincial government.
CM Gandapur reiterated that the KP government fully upholds press freedom and is committed to safeguarding it. He assured that no cases will be registered under PECA in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, nor will any action under the law be tolerated in the province. “Criticism and questioning are fundamental roles of the media, and we welcome criticism and will use it as an opportunity for improvement,” he remarked.
He also criticized a recent draft law introduced by the Punjab government under the title “Public Awareness and Dissemination of Information,” claiming that it was originally drafted during the caretaker administration.
“Punjab should clarify whether a caretaker government is still in place there,” Gandapur said, questioning the democratic legitimacy of the bill.
Referring to Islamic principles, the Chief Minister said, “In Islam empowers its followers even to question the Caliph and if the Caliph of the time could be held accountable, then so can anyone.”
He argued that the proposed Punjab bill violates Islamic values and contradicts the fundamental right to freedom of expression.
PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, Central Secretary Information Sheikh Waqas Akram, and Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Omar Ayub were also present during the meeting.
The CPNE delegation included Mian Hassan Ahmed, Ghulam Nabi Chandio, Ayaz Khan, Ijazul Haq, Tanveer Shaukat, Zia Tanoli, Adnan Zafar, Tahir Farooq, Masood Khan, Shahid Hameed, Mumtaz Bangash, Fazal Haq, Yahya Khan, Rafi Niazi, and Mumtaz Sadiq.
