Incompetent, imposed & fearful of public reaction, govts always take steps to curtail freedom of the press: Liaqat Baloch

LAHORE, Feb 22 (SABAH): Deputy Chief of Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan and former parliamentary leader Liaqat Baloch while condemning the amendments to the PECA law through ordinance, said that incompetent, imposed and fearful of public reaction, governments always take steps to curtail freedom of the press. Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016 was introduced during the PML-N regime. Protests erupted across the country at that time. Instead of abolishing this black law, the PTI government has gone two steps further and made PECA even darker. Just as the PTI government was imposed on the country and the nation, so the PTI government is imposing anti-people laws on the country and the nation. The PECA amendments violate the constitution, the UN Charter of Human Rights, and democratic political rights. The government should withdraw the amendments and the black law of PECA should be abolished completely. A code of conduct for responsible politics, responsible journalism and responsible governance should be developed through broader dialogue.

Talking to a delegation of political activists in Mansurah, Liaqat Baloch said that Prime Minister Imran Khan was constantly repeating “don’t panic”. Now the government is beset by incompetence, failure and internal revolts. In fact, now Imran Khan is nervous. Poverty, inflation, unemployment, electricity, oil, gas, flour, sugar, the sharp rise in prices of medicines have become death alarms for the common man. Public protests across the country will put an end to incompetent, failed and anti-people regimes. Every attack of the government on the opponents is proved to be failed and is tantamount to “showing anger after getting embarrassed.”

According to Liaqat Baloch, street crime is on the rise in Karachi and Lahore. Streets, roads, and traveling have become unsafe. The entire system has collapsed due to the continuous interference of the government in the administration and police system. No hearing of the oppressed. The public is increasingly frustrated with law enforcement agencies and the judiciary. The common man can be safe if law enforcement is equal for all. Fraud, interference and violation of merit in the appointments of police, administration and judiciary should be eliminated. A government that fails to protect the life, property, honor and vote of the people has no right to govern.