Thursday, March 28, 2024

Undeclared pressure exists on freedom of expression in Pakistan: Bilawal

Undeclared pressure exists on freedom of expression in Pakistan: Bilawal
May 3, 2019
KARACHI (92 News) – PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has said that undeclared pressured exists on freedom of expression in Pakistan. Addressing a ceremony on the World Press Freedom Day at Karachi Press Club on Friday, he said that freedom of journalism is vital for democracy. “Democratic rights are being banned,” he said. The PPP chairman said that 26 journalists were murdered, but only 16 cases were tried. “The accused were punished only in one case,” he said. He recited poems to pay rich tributes to journalists. “The freedom of expression is a basic right, but the gun and the religion are being used to suppress it,” he said. Bilawal Bhutto said that the federal government should ensure journalism and freedom of expression instead of suppressing it. PPP co-chiarman Asif Ali Zardari said that there was unannounced censorship in the country. “The PPP believes in the freedom of journalism. The PPP stands by the struggle for freedom of expression,” he said.
Imran has admitted his failure, should apologize to people: Bilawal
On May 1, PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto said that Prime Minister Imran Khan has admitted his failure and should apologize to the people. Addressing a public meeting, he said that the present government has wasted eight months of the people. “We are fulfilling the promise of ‘Roti, Kapra aur Makan’,” he said. Bilawal Bhutto said that the labourer has been left on the streets in the New Pakistan. “The right of labourers is being snatched, but we will not let it happen. We will snatch the rights of labourers,” he maintained. The PPP chairman said that the investor has always tried to strangle the labourer. “It was Zulfikar Ali Bhutto who gave the first labour policy. Labourers have rights due to Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. Benazir Bhutto lifted the ban on labour unions,” he said. “Sindh is the only province which gave the Child Labour Policy after the 18th Amendment.” Bilawal Bhutto was of the view that Imran Khan admitted the failure of the economic policy by removing the finance minister. “The PM has admitted that only the PPP can run the economy.” He expressed the resolve to counter the anti-people policies of the government. “The deal with the IMF is being concealed. We will not accept the IMF bailout package, if it was not ratified by the parliament,” he said. The PPP chairman claimed that they had received the empty kitty, but given the relief to the poor. He termed the NAB as black law and Musharraf had formed it for political revenge. “Democracy will strengthen if accountability will be done in a right way,” he said. He said that they would expose the fake mandate and rigging of the government. “Fake census was conducted to deprive us of our right.” Bilawal Bhutto expressed the resolve to defend democracy and the 1973 Constitution.