Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar has announced that the party will not participate in talks with the government scheduled for tomorrow, saying the decision has been officially conveyed.
Speaking to reporters alongside Asad Qaiser and other media representatives, Barrister Gohar criticized the government for rushed legislation since coming to power. He claimed that under the bill (PECA Act), anyone could be arbitrarily accused of spreading fake news.
“We stand with the legitimate rights of the media. The media are the fourth pillar of the state. He helps us identify problems, and now efforts are being made to suppress his voice,” he said.
Barrister Gohar further said that even if the law is passed, it will be challenged in court, expressing hope that the judiciary will revisit it. Regarding Kurram, he stressed that all political parties have united on one platform.
The PTI chairman added, “We had given a seven-day deadline regarding the talks. We will not attend tomorrow’s meeting with the government and have informed the Secretary and the President of our decision. »
Speaking on the occasion, Asad Qaiser said the government’s legislative efforts essentially amounted to civil martial law. He condemned the proposed amendments to the PECA law and announced PTI’s participation in a nationwide movement against him.
“We will engage with all parties, including the media, to raise our voice for the supremacy of the Constitution and the rule of law,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Senate Interior Committee approved amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), despite strong objections from journalist organizations and media outlets.
According to Express News, the meeting, chaired by Senator Faisal Saleem, saw the committee pass the PECA Amendment Bill.
During the session, journalists’ organizations expressed opposition to the bill, criticizing the lack of clarity in its provisions and expressing concerns about its potential impact.
The committee chair asked why the journalists’ organizations had not submitted their written recommendations, saying they should have formally presented their suggestions to the committee.
Earlier, former Prime Minister Imran Khan, currently serving a prison term, on Sunday reiterated his call for overseas Pakistanis to boycott sending remittances, escalating political tensions as his party, the Pakistan Tehreek- E-Insaf (PTI), is facing the government.
“Once again, I urge overseas Pakistanis to continue their boycott of foreign currency remittances,” Khan said in an article on X. “Sending money to this government strengthens the very hands that tighten the noose around your neck.”
The call comes as talks between the government and the PTI, initiated last month, collapsed this week. The impasse followed the PTI’s refusal to participate without judicial commissions to probe the protests on May 9, 2023 and November 26, 2024.
