Staff Reporter Daily Dawn, Dawn TV Report
London: The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has written a letter to the Chief Justice of Pakistan, Yahya Afridi, on the controversial PECA Act and issues of journalists.
A copy of the letter written by the International Federation of Journalists has also been sent to the Prime Minister, Chief Justice Islamabad High Court and President PFUJ.
Expressing concern over the PECA Act, the IFJ said that journalists in Pakistan are facing increasing risks in performing their professional duties. Journalists are facing lawsuits, harassment and threats under the PECA law.
The International Federation of Journalists said in the letter that Pakistan has signed the International Labor Organization and United Nations conventions, freedom of expression and fundamental rights are being restricted under PECA, and according to the Press Freedom Report, 34 violations were reported.
The letter said that several cases of attacks on journalists, harassment and hate speech and violence on social media were reported, journalists in Pakistan are facing non-payment of salaries, journalists in Pakistan are facing illegal dismissals and security threats.
The IFJ said that allowing direct appeals to the Supreme Court is tantamount to bypassing the high courts, the IFJ sent two missions to Pakistan, which met directly with media workers, the Supreme Court should review the PECA law and direct the government to amend the law.
The International Federation of Journalists says that immediate action should be taken to protect press freedom under Article 19, 7 journalists were killed in Pakistan in one year, an appeal is made to the Chief Justice to immediately review the PECA law.
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