The Punjab Assembly has passed the Defamation Bill, 2024, rejecting all proposed amendments from the opposition, as reported by Dawn. This move incited protests from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-backed Sunni Ittehad Council and journalists covering the parliamentary sessions.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mujtaba Shuja ur Rehman introduced the “Punjab Defamation Bill 2024” in the Assembly. Although the speaker permitted the opposition to present their amendments, the Treasury ultimately dismissed them, according to Dawn.
The opposition vehemently criticized the bill, tearing copies apart and labeling it a black law. Members of the Press Gallery Committee boycotted the Assembly proceedings and staged a protest demonstration outside the Assembly building.
Dawn reports that the new law proposes the establishment of a special tribunal to address cases involving the creation, publication, and broadcasting of “fake news.” The tribunal is mandated to resolve cases within six months and may impose fines up to 3 million Pakistani rupees (PKR). Allegations against individuals holding constitutional posts will be heard by the high court.
Additionally, the bill stipulates that the government will provide legal assistance to women and transgender individuals in defamation cases through an official legal team.
Previously, the government refused to refer the draft bill to a committee comprising opposition members for broader consultation, asserting that it had already been thoroughly reviewed by a special committee.
Opposition leader Malik Ahmed Khan Bhachhar questioned the urgency of the Treasury in passing the bill before midnight. Lawmakers from the SIC protested by waving placards, chanting slogans, and submitting 10 amendments.
Opposition member Rana Shahbaz informed the chair that opposition members were not adequately represented in the committee responsible for the defamation bill. “One of our members was out of the country and another was busy with court proceedings. Hence, only one opposition member was present in the meeting regarding the defamation bill, and his input was not considered.”
Ahmad Rashid Bhatti argued that the defamation bill contravenes Article 8 of the Constitution, stating, “Clause 23 of this law also conflicts with the Defamation Law 2024.” He added that following the Fourth Amendment, the term ‘defamation’ was removed from the Constitution and is now being reintroduced into the law.
PTI-backed SIC legislator Junaid Afzal Sahi suggested the law was intended to target his party after the media had already been censored.
In an unusual move, Advocate-General Khalid Ishaq joined the house proceedings and addressed the opposition’s objections by reading out key points of the bill.
Journalists, after boycotting the house proceedings, gathered outside the assembly building to protest against the ‘black law.’ Lahore Press Club president Arshad Ansari informed the protesting journalists that the government had engaged them in talks for more than two hours. He noted that the government refused to delay the bill’s approval for one week to allow stakeholders to reach a consensus.