Amid the strong protest by the opposition, the PML-N-led government on Monday managed to bulldoze the controversial Defamation Bill 2024 in the Punjab Assembly.
According to treasury benches, the bill is aimed at stopping fake news, while media bodies termed it “draconian” in its current form.
Brushing aside the media bodies’ request to differ the proposed bill, Punjab’s Finance and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mujtaba Mian Shuja-ur-Rehman tabled the bill in the House.
Earlier in the day, representatives of the media bodies met Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari and requested her to defer the controversial bill for a few days.
The House witnessed a ruckus and strong protest when the bill was tabled, while the journalists boycotted the proceedings of the House to register their protest.
Journalist leaders were of the view that the government stabbed them in the back after holding negotiations over the bill.
Opposition Leader Ahmed Khan Bhachar said that the Defamation Bill 2024 is a “black law” and his side of the bench would not partake in passing the legislation.
More to follow…
