Punjab Assembly Approves Defamation Bill 2024 Despite Opposition and Protests

The Punjab Assembly passed the Defamation Bill 2024 on Monday, dismissing all amendments from the opposition amid protests by the PTI-backed Sunni Ittehad Council and journalists. SIC members tore copies of the bill after it was passed by voice vote.

The bill was vetted by Special Committee-1 and tabled by Punjab Finance Minister Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman. Despite journalists’ requests, the PML-N government refused to delay voting.

Press gallery members left the assembly, rejecting the bill as a “curb on free media.” The draft law proposes a special tribunal for “fake news” cases, which must be decided within six months, with fines up to Rs 3 million. The high court will hear allegations against individuals holding constitutional posts. The bill also provides legal assistance for women and transgender individuals in defamation cases.

The government declined to send the bill to a committee with opposition members for consultation. Opposition leader Malik Ahmed Khan Bhachhar questioned the urgency in passing the bill before midnight. SIC lawmakers protested with placards and slogans, proposing 10 amendments.

PTI-backed SIC member Rana Shahbaz Ahmad claimed opposition members were absent during the bill’s vetting. He argued that the tribunal judge should be appointed by the chief justice, not the government. PTI-backed SIC lawmaker Ahmar Rashid Bhatti argued the law violated Articles 8, 202, and 203, reintroducing the term “defamation” into statutes. PML-N lawmaker Rai Ahsan Raza raised concerns about the law’s implementation across provinces. PTI-backed SIC legislator Jam Amanullah feared the law would benefit those with close ties to the military establishment. Junaid Afzal Sahi believed the law targeted his party, following media restrictions.

Advocate-General Khalid Ishaq joined the proceedings to address opposition objections. After boycotting the assembly, journalists protested outside, calling the bill a “black law.” Lahore Press Club president Arshad Ansari criticized the government for not delaying approval to reach a consensus. He recalled Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s previous support against the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, noting her party’s contradictory stance.

Ansari warned of future protests and sit-ins, with a joint action committee deciding. Speaker Malik Mohammad Ahmed Khan prorogued the house indefinitely after completing the day’s agenda.