Friday, March 29, 2024

The governor of Punjab refused to sign a bill allowing the arrest of journalists, bureaucrats and legislators

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A member of the University Editors Association of the Philippines displayed a placard during a protest outside the Malacañang Palace. -Reuters/Documents
  • The governor said that the bill was “contradictory” and “inconsistent” with the Constitution.
  • Indicates that the term “exclude media persons” cannot be added in isolation; the additional timetable needs to be revised, which can only be done through legislation, not notification.
  • According to sources, Prime Minister Imran Khan and CM House raised objections, after which the governor refused to sign the bill.

Punjab Governor Chowdhury Mohamed Sawar refused to sign the Punjab Privileges (Amendment) Bill 2021 on Thursday, calling it “contradictory” and “inconsistent” with the Constitution.

Member of Punjab Parliament Last month A bill was passed allowing Parliament the power to arrest and prosecute journalists, bureaucrats and legislators. The bill was submitted by PPP’s MPA Usman Mehmood as a private member of the bill.

Although the bill was not on the agenda or sent to relevant committees for deliberation, it was passed by a majority in the House of Representatives without much resistance from opposition parties.

Chowdhury Mohamed Sawar, Governor of Punjab Province.
Chowdhury Mohamed Sawar, Governor of Punjab Province.

The President of the Punjab Provincial Assembly, Pervaiz Elahi, notified the amendment to the bill earlier this month after protests by the journalists, but the journalists still expressed reservations about this.

At the same time, when returning the bill, the governor stated that the term “exclude media personnel” cannot be added in isolation. The timetable attached to the bill also needs to be modified “with reference to conduct and omissions related to publication and reporting”, and this cannot be done through notification-such modifications “must be carried out in the legislative field.”

“The’Bill’ also needs to be reviewed in the context of Articles 8, 10, 10-A and 25 of the Constitution,” he said.

The governor added that the provisions given to the Judicial Committee of Parliament and the Speaker to try crimes and punishments under the bill “contradict Article 66(3) and Article 10-A of the Constitution.”

Informed sources Geographic News Prime Minister Imran Khan and the Chief Minister’s Mansion objected to the bill, and then the governor refused to sign the bill.


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