LAHORE: Acting Governor Punjab Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan signed the contentious Punjab Defamation Bill, 2024, into law, according to reports cited by Geo News on Saturday.
The bill that attracted a great deal of criticism, especially from journalists and advocates for digital rights, got the final approval, according to reports, from Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan, the acting governor of Punjab in lieu of Sardar Salim Khan.
The reports also mentioned Governor Sardar Salim’s leave of absence.
The Punjab Defamation Bill, 2024 was enacted by the Punjab Assembly on May 20, in the face of a loud and forceful opposition protest and a massive backlash from international human rights organizations and media.
“Arranged”
President of the Lahore Press Club Arshad Ansari responded to the development by criticizing the Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) dishonest stance and claiming that the party had conned journalists.
“The bill was signed by the acting governor by sending the Punjab governor on leave under a plan,” Ansari stated.
The senior journalist went on to say that the PPP appeared to be siding with the media and was working internally with the provincial government.
“A meeting of the action committee will be called soon and future strategy will be announced,” the reporter stated.
