ISLAMABAD (PEN) : It appears that Punjab Governor Sardar Salim Khan is expressing concerns about the recently passed Punjab Defamation Bill 2024. He is urging the provincial government to review the bill and remove what he considers objectionable clauses. Governor Khan emphasizes the need for revisiting the bill to address the controversy it has sparked and suggests resolving the issue through dialogue with all stakeholders.
The bill, passed amid protests by the opposition and media bodies’ requests for its deferral, has drawn criticism from various quarters, including the PPP. The PPP’s parliamentary leader in the Punjab Assembly, Syed Ali Haider Gilani, has voiced opposition to the bill, stating that it undermines media freedom and was passed without consulting the party.
In response to the bill, media bodies, including the Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA), All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS), and others, have announced plans to challenge it in court. They view the bill as draconian and criticize its passage without adequate consultation with stakeholders.
Overall, the situation reflects a contentious debate surrounding the Punjab Defamation Bill 2024, with stakeholders advocating for a reconsideration of its provisions and expressing concerns about its potential impact on media freedom.