Punjab governor vows to consult all stakeholders before signing defamation bill

LAHORE –Punjab Governor Sardar Salim Haider has announced extra consultations with all parties on the defamation bill.

On Sunday, representatives of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) called on Punjab Governor to raise the journalism community’s misgivings about the controversial bill.

The meeting was attended by CPNE President Irshad Arif, Lahore Press Club President Arshad Ansari, Dunya Media Group Managing Director Naveed Kashif, and former CPNE President Kazim Khan.

The gathering was also attended by Hafiz Tariq Mehmood, Imtanan Shahid, and Muhammad Usman.

Syed Hassan Murtaza, a senior PPP politician in central Punjab, also attended the meeting.

Representatives from the journalism community raised their concerns about the defamation bill and encouraged the governor to take action on the matter.

According to JAC representatives, the defamation measure is intended to silence the media’s voice and is incompatible with free expression.

“All the stakeholders would be taken into confidence over the controversial clauses of the bill,” stated the governor.

Also Read: Media fraternity will approach court against the ‘draconian’ Punjab Defamation Bill

The governor also stated that he will not sign the measure without further engagement with stakeholders.

PPP leader Syed Hassan Murtaza stated that we stand with the media and do not support the measure in its existing form.