Demand for public speaking on social media and uniform increase in restrictions. However, the extent to which the country’s claim to freedom of expression is valid is still controversial.
Political parties and human rights activists have been arrested or charged with serious crimes in Pakistan over the past few years.
As the demand for public speaking has increased due to social media, so has the government’s crackdown.
Laws have been enacted at various times to severely punish institutions and departments, especially the judiciary and the military, but those against whom these cases have been made or arrested have called it a restriction on freedom of expression.
Former Director-General of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Bashir Memon’s statements seems to reflect the thinking of those who came to power when he accused the Prime Minister of making small terror cases against opponents. Give orders However, Federal Law Minister Forough Naseem and Prime Minister’s Adviser Shehzad Akbar deny the allegations.
The issue has come under increasing scrutiny since the video of PML-N leader Nihal Hashmi’s speech against the judiciary went viral and cases were registered and arrests were made against Pashtun Tehreek Movement (PTM) leaders.
A similar case was recently registered against former Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif, Prime Minister of Kashmir, and several PML-N leaders. Islamabad High Court Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui also had to resign over a speech on alleged interference in the judicial affairs of the Establishment.
Now PML-N leader MNA Javed Latif has also been arrested on charges of provocation and spreading chaos. PTM leader Manzoor Pashtun, MNA Ali Wazir, and Mohsin Dawar are also facing similar cases. Some time ago, a similar case was registered against former lecturer FC College Ammar Ali Jan and an attempt was made to arrest him.
Criticism of state institutions
Speaking to The Independent Urdu, Haris Khaliq, Secretary-General of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, said that if there are political opponents or other groups in the society, especially journalists, if they criticize someone and if cases are registered to silence them or If they are arrested or tried to be silenced for fear of punishment, it is an imperialist style of governing. It makes society unhealthy.
He said that if one does not have the courage to listen to criticism or if one finds it illegal, then he is not fit to rule. It is reprehensible to adopt such a procedure in a democracy. Cases should not be registered on such matters.
Some of the laws that we have, such as the coup or the Official Secrets Act, are all relics of British colonialism. It no longer makes sense to claim a modern democracy and use it against critics.
The environment needed for freedom of expression from the arts to journalism does not exist in Pakistan at the moment. We need to try to establish it. The government should be careful about such attitudes and give the opposition the right to criticize because those who are in government today will be in opposition tomorrow.
Most social media users also have the impression that whenever someone criticizes a government, institution, or department, they go to great lengths to silence it. The assassination of former PAMRA chief Absar Alam a few days ago is also cited as a recent example.
Provocation or rebellion
Lawyer Faisal Bajwa while talking to Independent Urdu said that such legislation has been enacted in Pakistan in every era in which severe punishments have been proposed for mutiny, anarchy, hatred, treason, or insult to institutions.
According to Faisal Bajwa, laws have been enacted to deal with such crimes, but such laws have been used against dissenters or critics in every era.
He said that the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997, also provides penalties for statements that incite hatred, sectarianism, and insurgency. The sentences were included in cases filed against Tehreek-e-Libek Pakistan (TLP) and PTM leaders.
Faisal Bajwa said that Article 6 of the Constitution and Sections 132 to 140 of the Punjab Penal Court are against such violations and treason. For example, the Loudspeaker Act bans hate speech.
He said that a few days ago, the government also passed a bill in the cabinet which proposed punishments for criticism and rhetoric against the Pakistan Army.
The penalties prescribed in the constitution and law for these crimes are applied only after the charges have been proved in the courts.
Surprisingly, cases against political leaders and institutions and those arrested have not been proven guilty, and in many cases statements have not been recorded in the same way as in the case. Are
However, it is still disputed to what extent the claim of freedom of expression is valid in the country and only criticism of the ruling personalities or ruling circles can be seen against such leaders while those belonging to the supporting party or organization. Action against is avoided
Latest News, Breaking News, Entertenment, Coronavirus Health, India, International News, social media, sports, World news,
