Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has welcomed the verdict of Islamabad High Court (IHC) declaring the Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Ordinance, 2022 as unconstitutional.
In a statement issued on Friday, the President of the union Shahzada Zulfiqar and Secretary General Nasir Zaidi said that the decision is a victory for all democratic forces and the champions of human rights.
“The journalists’ fraternity especially deserves the appreciation as it was the first to spring into action, taking notice of the ordinance, involving all the stakeholders and the civil society and approaching the court against the black ordinance.”
The PFUJ activists staged protests across the country, making it clear that they would not accept any such draconian ordinance, the leaders said, adding that the verdict would go a long way in protecting the freedom of the press, besides deterring the governments from violating Article 19 of the Constitution.
The PFUJ leaders vowed to resist any such move on part of the government in future as well that may threaten the freedom of expression in the country.
“We salute the judiciary and thank it for ensuring the implementation of the constitution and striking Peca ordinance down by declaring it unconstitutional,” they added.
