attempts to curb social media freedom are tantamount to an attack on freedom
Former prime minister and president of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Nawaz Sharif on Saturday condemned “suppression of voice of dissent” in the country, saying that attempts to curb social media freedom are tantamount to an attack on freedom of expression.
Amid reports that PML-N supporters were being arrested for their social media posts. Sharif said it was the constitutional duty of the government to protect citizens’ right to freedom of expression.
statement came after the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), which works under interior minister Ahsan Iqbal, picked up PML-N activists for propagating against the armed forces and the judiciary. Iqbal had not issued any statement on the arrests of his own party’s workers.
Sharif requested the interior ministry to take notice of the issue and ensure that the arrested PML-N supporters, journalists and bloggers were freed as soon as possible. “People who have been arrested for their social media posts must be released immediately,” he demanded.
“Attempts to silence voices of dissent using power are really worrying. The government needs to stop this from happening,” he said, adding that it was the constitutional duty of the government to protect citizens’ right to freedom of expression.Earlier, according to details available with The Express Tribune, FIA arrested two men, Anwar Adil and Wajid Rasool, and booked them for uploading objectionable material against the judiciary and armed forces. Both the men remain in custody of the FIA’s Cyber Crimes Wing.
The first information report against Adil and Rasool stated that the two accused disseminated defamatory/objectionable and disgraceful material against judges of the Supreme Court, armed forces of Pakistan and government of Pakistan with mala fide intention.
There are also reports that similar action may be taken in other cities also but there was no official confirmation.
Deposed prime minister Nawaz Sharif in his Tuesday’s press conference might have said he is ready to face accountability and that he does not seek confrontation. However, the PML-N supremo is likely to adopt an aggressive plan to reach out to the public in demonstration of his political strength.
Sharif is expected to visit London again to see his wife Kulsoom Nawaz, whose health condition has reportedly deteriorated. However, he will be returning soon to materialise his political prospects, the PML-N sources said.
The former PM is planning to hold a ‘thanksgiving’ gathering to express gratitude to his voters of NA-120 Lahore, his home constituency where Kulsoom Nawaz stood victorious in September 17 by-polls.harif is also evaluating option to hold public gatherings in different parts of the country – including the PTI’s bastion of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa – in line with the ruling camp’s strategy to mobilise public support in the face of serious challenges he is faced with.
Punjab’s Law Minister Rana Sanaullah spoke in implied confirmation when asked by The Express Tribune about Sharif’s plans to arrange a political gathering in NA-120 and other parts of the country.
“Mian Nawaz Sharif is the premier leader of PML-N by virtue of whom our party exists. He is here to survive the challenges and finally prevail. Nothing can stop Mian sahib from interacting with his people. He has addressed endless gatherings in the past and he would keep doing the same in future.”
In his much hyped presser at the Punjab House on Tuesday, the former PM conspicuously avoided sharing his future plans which led many to believe that a possible ‘deal’ between his party and the ‘powers that be’ was in the making.
