A prominent Pakistani journalist has revealed that the country’s Federal Investigative Agency (FIA) has registered cases against 49 mediators and social media activists under the Prevention of Electronic Crime Act (PECA).
“The biggest crackdown on journalists and social media activists to date in Pakistan. The FIA records cases against 49 journalists and social media activists under PECA. Names include @ UmarCheema1 @AzazSyed @murtazasolang @ ammarmasood3 @AsadAToor @bilalfqi, etc. ”Mubashir Zaidi tweeted on Thursday night.
Zaidi, who hosts the popular talk show Zara Hat Kay, did not elaborate.
Journalists’ organizations have condemned the measure and demanded that the cases be dropped. The Federal Union of Journalists of Pakistan in a tweet promised to hold protests across the country if the government did not withdraw the cases.
In a statement, the FIA said the agency has received complaints against 49 social media activists from some whistleblowers with evidence. “There have been cases against these activists and the FIA is sending notices to these activists shortly,” the agency said.
The FIA said strict measures are likely to be taken against individuals based on evidence that is detrimental to state institutions, especially the country’s security forces.
In a tweet following the FIA announcement, Murtaza Solangi, one of the accused journalists, said that he would continue to fight for constitutionally guaranteed freedoms. “We will not bow to the fascist slaughter,” he tweeted, adding: “We will not renounce our fundamental rights.”
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) condemned the FIA move, tweeting: “The HRCP is alarmed by news circulating that the FIA is filing cases against 49 journalists and social media activists under PECA regulations . We demand that the state refrain from such action and stop using the FIA to curb political dissent. “
A fortnight ago, the global monitor Human Rights Watch (HRW) had stated in a report critical of the government that a week before that, Prime Minister Imran Khan had “stated that there is no repression of the media in Pakistan, and that he and his government are much more unprotected than the media ”.
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