#Pakistan #PPP - Senator Mian Raza Rabbani condemns the amendments to the electronic crimes law and the Election Act

PRESS RELEASE

Mian Raza Rabbani, Former Chairman Senate, has issued the following press statement:

The amendments to the electronic crimes law and the Election Act, ECP’s code of conduct through Ordinances, amounts to denying a national debate and depriving Parliament of its constitutional right of legislation.

Since 2018, the Government has taken systematic steps to apply censor to online content through the “Citizens Protection (Against Online Harm) Rules, 2020” and the “Removal and Blocking of Unlawful Online Content (Procedure, Oversight, and Safeguards) Rules, 2020”. Such Rules were opposed by journalists and digital rights groups. The proposed legislation converts bailable offenses to non-bailable offenses. The punishment for defaming a person or an institution on social media from two years is being increased to five years. This is condemned. This is placing fetters on the Fundamental Rights of the citizens and can not be done without a national debate, that is through legislation in Parliament.

The President should not sign the Ordinances, as under Article 50, Constitution, 1973, he is a part of Parliament, here Parliament is being denied the right to legislate and fundamental rights are being curtailed outside of Parliament.

The amendments to the Election Act and Rules will allow government patronage to be used for the ruling party’s candidates, it is opposed and condemned. This government runs on vital Cabinet decisions being taken by the circulation of Summaries and legislation being done through Ordinances. Since it came to power legislation has only been done through Ordinances.

MIAN RAZA RABBANI.