Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman condemns Punjab Defamation Bill

Jamaat-e-Islami, a prominent political party in Pakistan, has taken a firm stance against the Punjab Defamation Bill 2024, denouncing it as a draconian law that threatens freedom of speech. The party's leader, Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman, has voiced strong support for journalists who are protesting against this legislation, which they believe poses a significant risk to their ability to report freely.

During a media briefing at Mansoorah, Rehman criticized the bill, accusing the government of lacking legitimacy and attempting to stifle dissent through repressive laws. He emphasized the importance of open dialogue between the Punjab government and journalists to revoke this controversial bill, stating that any attempts to suppress media freedom through force are unacceptable.

A delegation from the Joint Action Committee (JAC), comprising various media organizations, sought the JI Emir's support in opposing the bill. Rehman reiterated the necessity of collaboration between the government and journalists to annul this legislation. He also highlighted the JI's commitment to challenging the bill through legal means if required.

In a separate press conference, Rehman addressed several pressing issues, including the demand for a judicial inquiry into election irregularities and the release of political detainees. He condemned the recent attack on PTI information secretary Raoof Hasan and called for a transparent investigation into the violence at the 'Save Gaza Camp Islamabad.'

Furthermore, Rehman urged the government to stand in solidarity with Palestine and recognize Hamas as the legitimate representative of the Palestinian people. He also opposed the privatization of schools in Punjab, advocating for free education as a fundamental state responsibility. Additionally, Rehman pledged JI's unwavering support for farmers' rights and criticized the IMF's economic policies for disproportionately burdening the underprivileged with excessive taxes while permitting extravagant government spending.

Rehman concluded by calling for a comprehensive review of Independent Power Producer (IPP) agreements to effectively address the country's economic challenges.