Following President Asif Zardari’s signature of the contentious Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) amendment bill, journalists throughout Pakistan are demonstrating in large numbers. The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) and other press groups are spearheading the protests, which are currently in their second day. The National Press Club in Islamabad is hosting sizable crowds. Outraged by the bill’s passing, protesters screamed anti-bill slogans.
A sizable number of journalists, including anchors and representatives of the National Press Club, attended the demonstrations. The protest was headed by PFUJ President Afzal Butt, who denounced the president’s decision and said that former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, who was well-known for her support of press freedom, would be “trembling” at the signing.
The Pakistan People’s Party was accused by Butt.