LAHORE: The Punjab Union of Journalists (PUJ) continued its protest against the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca) Amendment Ordinance on the third consecutive day in front of the Lahore Press Club on Sunday.

The journalists displayed banners, placards and raised slogans against the government’s actions to silence dissent. A large number of political, civil society leaders expressed their solidarity with the journalists’ struggle to resist the draconian law, which is aimed at imposing restrictions on freedom of expression.

PPP Lahore chapter President Chaudhry Aslam Gill, PML-N leader Mian Marghoob Ahmad, Awami Workers Party general secretary Bakhshal Thalho, human rights activist Farzana Bari, Sheikhupura Press Club office-bearers and others joined the protest camp and assured their complete support against the Peca Ordinance.

PUJ President Muhammad Ibrahim Lucky led the protest camp, while former president of Lahore Press Club Arshad Ansari, PFUJ treasurer Zulfiqar Ali Mehto, PUJ general secretary Khawar Baig, senior joint secretary Amer Malik, activists of various journalists’ organisations and civil society were also present.

Mr Gill said Peca law is an expression of dictatorial thinking. He said Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari was the first to raise a voice against this black law. He slammed the government for promoting intolerance in society. Mian Marghoob said that journalism is a mirror and the rulers can’t see their own face in the mirror and thus were bent upon breaking it.

Ms Bari said no one can suppress the voice of truth and justice. She committed to always stand by the journalist community against this dictatorial law.

Published in Dawn, March 14th, 2022